Germany’s “traffic light coalition” reaches agreement on heating law

According to informed sources, the heads of the German coalition factions SPD, Greens and FDP have agreed to put a controversial heating bill on the agenda of the Bundestag this week. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party had joined the talks earlier.

On the sidelines of the parliamentary group meetings, Scholz, Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Green), Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and the parliamentary group, party leaders and experts from the “traffic light” groups then discussed a way out of the deadlock disputed. She added that it was also agreed on the areas in which one wants to amend the draft federal government law.

Alliance: More climate protection when heating

With the law, the German federal government wants to ensure more climate protection when heating. According to the bill, starting in 2024, every newly installed heating system must be run on at least 65 percent green energy.

However, working heaters do not need to be replaced, and faulty heaters can also be repaired. The switch is to be supported socially with state funding. Transition periods and hardship regulations were also planned.

The long-disputed alliance

However, the details are disputed in the alliance. There was resistance to the law, especially from the Free Democratic Party. FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr insisted on the one hand more openness to technology and on the other hand a closer coupling of the law with municipal thermal planning.

For example, the SPD insisted that tenants not be burdened with replacing the heating system. However, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mutzenich showed he was optimistic the Bundestag could still debate the Energy Building Bill this week.

Combined Greens leader Katharina Droege warned coalition partners to abide by the contract. The three parties had agreed in the coalition committee to pass the law, which was drafted under the leadership of Habak before the summer recess, which begins in July.