SPD caucus chairman Matthias Miersch has made tenant protection the cornerstone of the black‑red coalition’s plan to reform Germany’s heating law. He warned that no new regulation would leave tenants shouldering the costs of upgrades, a point he stressed in an interview with “Stern”.
“Tenant protection is essential for me” Miersch said. “We have already outlined the key principles; the detailed work now begins”. Under the current rules, landlords who wish to roll modernization expenses into rent must first apply for subsidies. The CO₂ price scheme also includes a “clear social steering” mechanism, preventing landlords from simply passing rising energy costs on to renters. The SPD leader added that these provisions will guide the parliamentary debate on the new Building Modernisation Act.
Miersch explained that the measures would directly shield tenants while simultaneously creating a financial incentive for investing in climate‑friendly heating technology. “The subsidy for low‑carbon heating must remain reliable, so the switch to sustainable systems continues to be encouraged” he said.
The caucus chief also lauded the agreement reached among the CDU, CSU, and SPD on the foundational points of the Building Modernisation Law. “As a coalition we’ve managed to tackle something that is incredibly important in this moment: we’ve eliminated a societal wedge” he noted. “The recent heating debacle eroded a lot of trust, and I’m pleased that we now have a fresh, necessary framework”.
On climate‑policy strategy, Miersch emphasized that success comes not from sensational headlines but from dependable funding, clear rules, and social safeguards. “We pair ambitious goals with security for those affected, and that is what builds acceptance” he concluded.