German government collapses

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a crucial vote of confidence in the Bundestag on Monday, paving the way for early parliamentary elections in February 2025.

In the vote, 349 MPs rejected the motion, 207 supported Scholz, and 116 abstained. Scholz announced plans to immediately request the dissolution of the Bundestag from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has until January 6 to decide.

Early elections are scheduled for February 23, seven months ahead of the original date.

The governing coalition of SPD, Greens, and FDP lost its majority after FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner resigned in November. Scholz’s loss in the confidence vote was the only constitutional means to trigger early elections.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz criticized Scholz during the debate, accusing him of leaving Germany in its worst economic crisis since WWII and undermining the country's standing in the EU by avoiding key decisions.