Overview

• The federal CDU–SPD coalition committee decided on July 2 to limit initial electricity tax relief to industry and agriculture, leaving private households without cuts.
• At a state party conference on July 3, Hamburg CDU leader Dennis Thering called the move a breach of the coalition contract and pledged to campaign for full relief.
• The Hamburg CDU holds 19.8% of votes as the city’s largest opposition bloc and plans to lobby Berlin to extend tax cuts to all consumers.
• The rot-green Senate is advancing plans to nominate Hamburg as Germany’s candidate for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic Games with a public referendum scheduled for May 2026.
• Thering warned that the May 2026 vote will be a genuine test of public enthusiasm rather than a straightforward endorsement.