German parliament approves plan to replace fossil-fuel heating systems

Legislation prompted infighting between Greens and Free Democrats, members of Olaf Scholz's coalition

Germany's parliament has approved legislation for the replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems, passing a major climate policy plan that prompted lengthy infighting in the governing coalition and helped push down its poll ratings.

Parliament's lower house voted 399-275 for the bill, with five abstaining - months after an initial version of it was first approved by Olaf Scholz's cabinet. An ensuing fight over its details in the chancellor's ideologically diverse three-party coalition fostered an impression of disarray from which the government is struggling to recover.