Overview

• CDU and SPD said they will present an alternative bill for more green space and thousands of new trees, rejecting a 1:1 adoption of the citizens’ BäumePlus draft.
• The Greens demand full, unchanged passage of the initiative and call for a conscience vote without party whip.
• Environment Senator Ute Bonde said financing and feasibility remain open questions, citing a €7.2 billion challenge and pointing to possible EU funds, a federal special fund and budget reallocation.
• Faction leaders Dirk Stettner and Raed Saleh have opened talks with the initiators, with several negotiation rounds planned and the role of an external oversight council emerging as a key sticking point.
• Initiators say they are preparing an urgent constitutional complaint if the parliament’s version fails the “in essence” test, and they are readying a second signature drive of about 170,000 supporters for a 2026 vote, now estimating roughly €3 billion in additional costs.