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The government had hoped to get the legislation through parliament on Friday, the last day before its summer recess. But the court issued an injunction blocking parliament from considering it this week, ruling in favor of a lawmaker from the main conservative opposition bloc who argued that his rights as a lawmaker would be violated by it being pushed through without an opportunity for more detailed consideration.

The two junior partners in the center-left Scholz's coalition, the environmentalist Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, spent months about the legislation before emerging with a bare-bones compromise over plans to replace old fossil-fuel heating systems with alternatives such as heat pumps.

It was firmed up into detailed legislation only last week, leaving opposition lawmakers angry with the coalition's haste to get it passed before the summer break, as it had originally planned.

The heating issue is the biggest of several that have fueled an impression of constant squabbling and disarray in Scholz's coalition, which brings together parties that aren't traditional allies. The squabbling in recent months has helped push down the coalition's poll ratings.

The legislation calls for the installation of new heating systems that can be at least 65% powered by renewable energy. It would apply to new housing developments starting next year, but otherwise provides for potentially lengthy transition periods.