German Parties Push to Ease Sunday Shop Ban Amid City Center Concerns

Politicians from Germany's CDU and FDP parties are pushing to relax the ban on Sunday shop openings, arguing that current restrictions contribute to the decline of city centers. Christian von Stetten, chairman of the Bundestag's Economic Affairs Committee, stated that both federal and state governments should allow for "generous expansion" of existing regulations.

Wolfgang Kubicki, leader of the FDP, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgent need for "real flexibility." He warned that those who insist on keeping shops closed on Sundays should not complain about "dying inner cities."

“

In both cases, I am in favor of a generous expansion of the existing regulations.

The discussion was sparked by the federal government's announcement to extend Sunday opening hours for bakeries and confectioneries. A coalition policy paper outlines plans for extended hours starting January 1, 2027, allowing bakeries up to eight hours and public libraries up to six hours on Sundays. Currently, a complex web of federal and state laws governs these openings, with some regions like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg allowing three hours of Sunday work for production and delivery, and North Rhine-Westphalia permitting a maximum of five hours.

“

Real flexibility would be urgently needed. Those who want to keep shops forcibly closed should not complain about dying inner cities.