Hamburg Lawmakers Propose Constitutional Amendment to Leverage Debt Brake Reform

SPD and Greens submit a formal proposal to align Hamburg's constitution with federal reforms, unlocking new funding for critical investments.

Hamburg's SPD and Greens have officially introduced a proposal to amend the state constitution, enabling the city to utilize expanded borrowing powers under Germany's reformed debt brake policy.
The amendment would allow Hamburg to access funding from the federal €500 billion investment package for infrastructure, defense, and climate projects.
The proposed changes aim to ensure legal clarity and fiscal security while maintaining the debt brake's core principle of balanced budgets with borrowing allowed only under strict conditions.
The constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in Hamburg's Bürgerschaft, making CDU support essential for its passage.
Critics, including the AfD, continue to oppose the reforms, arguing that increased borrowing undermines financial responsibility and future generations' interests.