At the CDU party congress in Stuttgart on February 22, 2026, a proposal for a sugar tax on sweetened beverages, supported by 46 medical associations and consumer advocates, was rejected. The initiative, spearheaded by the Schleswig-Holstein CDU and championed by Minister President Daniel Günther, aimed to combat rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, particularly among children, with one-quarter of German children reportedly overweight. Proponents argued that a tiered manufacturer's levy, based on sugar content, would incentivize reduced sugar consumption and product reformulation, citing successful implementation in over 110 countries worldwide according to the WHO. However, the federal government remains resistant to the measure, and the CDU delegates ultimately voted against the proposal, a decision criticized by the Marburger Bund doctors' association as a "missed opportunity for effective prevention."