Relations within the coalition government of the German Chancellor Olaf Soltz being tested after the Liberal Democrats (FDP) blocked a bill to ban boilers natural gas in new houses.

A visibly disgruntled Robert Humbeck, the Greens’ Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister, accused the Liberals of “breaking their word” by saying that in late March the ruling parties agreed to push the boiler bill before the summer holidays.

The Greens see the bill as a key part of their climate agenda. Nevertheless The FDP, led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, refused to put it on the agenda of the Bundestag this week.saying more work is needed.

A row between the FDP and the Greens threatens Soltz’s legislative program after the latter threatened to retaliate by blocking FDP-backed bills.

Under the heating bill, backed by the Khambek Economy Ministry and approved by the cabinet in April, any new system installed must use up to 65% renewable energy from 2024. In fact, this is equivalent to a ban on new natural gas boilers.

About 80% of heat for buildings comes from burning fossil fuels, and experts agree that emissions will only be significantly reduced when the country switches to renewable energy sources such as heat pumps. The transition is seen as the cornerstone of Germany’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2045.

Source: Financial Times.