Overview

• Hamburg’s CDU urged upgrading the commissioner to a salaried position and adding staff to strengthen the office following Stefan Hensel’s resignation plan.
• The party proposed lifting the annual budget to €150,000 to support programs including a Hamburg–Israel youth initiative.
• CDU leaders want authority akin to the data protection commissioner, including potential access to case files, observer status in trials, and the ability to compel agency cooperation.
• CDU floor leader Dennis Thering said the governing SPD and Greens have blocked prior proposals to empower the role and called on the Senate to act.
• Stefan Hensel, in the post since 2021 and reconfirmed in November 2024, announced he will leave no later than December 31, citing time demands and repeated personal attacks.