German coalition advances key legislation after court rulings

Germany's governing coalition has cleared a significant hurdle as the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed urgent applications to block legislative proceedings. The court's decision allows the government to move forward with its healthcare cost-saving package and a new heating law, easing fears of a troubled start to the political summer.

The court rejected challenges from opposition lawmakers seeking to halt the legislative process for the healthcare bill. These lawmakers had criticized the "chaotic legislative procedure" and a last-minute influx of 278 pages of amendments. Similarly, the Left Party's attempt to temporarily stop the planned adoption of the new heating law was dismissed as inadmissible.

With the legal obstacles removed, the Bundestag is expected to pass the building modernization law this week. This law aims to revise key aspects of the previous government's regulations, allowing for the continued installation of new gas and oil heating systems if they increasingly use CO2-neutral fuels from 2029. The Left Party argues this will widen the gap in achieving climate targets.

Attention now shifts to the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, where the healthcare savings package is scheduled for a vote before the summer break. Despite the court's green light, some states may still push for a delay. A final decision is anticipated Friday morning, just before the Bundesrat session.