The primacy of German spatial planning law (Raumordnung) has been contested by the request for more flexibility. Therefore, the most recent amendment to the German spatial planning code (Raumordnungsgesetz) has stripped the spatial planning authority of their discretion regarding the decision about the dispense from the goals of spatial planning. Furthermore, private citizen and companies are now entitled to directly apply for this dispense. As a consequence, scholars have voiced the concern that spatial planning as an institution has been weakened. On the other hand, the amendment may have brought about conformity with European Union law.