Debate over Sunday openings: CDU and FDP signal support for retail association

Demands from retail and the FDP

FDP chairman Wolfgang Kubicki made clear in an interview with the Bild-Zeitung that he considers further flexibility urgently necessary. „Eine echte Flexibilisierung wäre dringend notwendig. Wer Läden zwangsweise geschlossen halten will, darf sich nicht über sterbende Innenstädte beschweren“, said Kubicki. The FDP politician thus spoke out clearly against the existing Sunday protections in retail.

Support is also coming from the CDU. Christian von Stetten, chairman of the Bundestag's Economic Affairs Committee, told Bild: „In beiden Fällen bin ich für eine großzügige Ausweitung der bisherigen Regelungen.“ In both cases, he was in favor of a generous extension of existing regulations. At the same time, von Stetten pointed to the division of competences: „Der Bundestag entscheidet über die Sonntagsarbeitszeiten und die Bundesländer über die Sonntagsöffnungszeiten“, the CDU politician told Bild. Parliament also decides on working hours, while the federal states are responsible for opening hours.

Bundestag committee in favor of relaxations

The Bundestag had recently debated a significant relaxation of the ban on Sunday openings. In the run-up, retail associations had already demanded a complete lifting of the Sunday opening ban. The German Retail Association argued along similar lines to Kubicki and warned of the loss of vital inner cities.

Headwinds are coming from the Evangelical Church in Germany. An EKD spokesperson stressed that the free Sunday is a great good for society as a whole. „Der freie Sonntag ist für unsere Gesellschaft als Ganzes wertvoll – unabhängig davon, ob ein Mensch an Gott glaubt oder nicht“, according to a statement. Sunday creates space for family, friendships, neighborhood and volunteer work. „Gerade in Krisenzeiten stärkt das den Zusammenhalt und gibt Menschen Kraft“, the spokesperson explained. In addition, a day of the week is needed on which as many people as possible are off at the same time.

Criticism from EKD and Verdi

The Verdi trade union has also voiced criticism. Verdi federal board member Silke Zimmer warned of the consequences for employees: „Der Sonntag ist für die Beschäftigten der einzige verlässlich planbare freie Tag“, she said. The trade union thus pointed to the labor law and social significance of Sunday for retail employees.

The debate was reported on 07.07.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program. The initiative by retailers and parts of the political spectrum thus stands in contrast to church and trade union positions that want to defend the status quo. How the federal states, which are responsible for opening hours, will respond to the pressure remains to be seen.