Environmental group demands president veto building modernization law over procedural error
German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) alleges a procedural error in the passing of the Building Modernization Act (GModG). The organization has called on the Federal President to veto the law, citing a failure to obtain necessary approval from the Bundesrat.
The German environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) claims that the country's Building Modernization Act (GModG) was not properly enacted, alleging a critical flaw in the legislative process. According to DUH's legal assessment, the revised law includes provisions that required the approval of the Bundesrat (Federal Council).
DUH asserts that, based on the case law of the Federal Constitutional Court, this omission makes the entire law invalid. The organization has appealed to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, urging him to ensure that the constitutionally mandated participation of the federal states is upheld. Barbara Metz, DUH's federal managing director, criticized the government's approach as a "blind rush" to pass the legislation.
"This procedural error not only makes the content of the law constitutionally questionable but also violates principles of the rule of law," Metz stated. She called on the federal government to rectify the mistake and withdraw the law.
Legal counsel Remo Klinger added that the Bundesrat's approval is a fundamental constitutional principle in Germany. He confirmed that a specific regulation within the GModG necessitates this approval, stating that the error "infects the entire law."
The DUH has provided a copy of its letter to the Federal President and a brief legal opinion detailing the alleged procedural shortcomings on its website.