- German chancellor tries to fix things in the country
- Scholz will then appeal to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag
German chancellor tries to fix things in the country
Chancellor Scholz will on Wednesday submit a formal request to the German Parliament for a vote of confidence in his government, paving the way for elections in February.
O. Scholz has led his Social Democrat (SPD) and Green minority government since 7 November, when he sacked Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP).
The vote is considered a formality because the Bundestag is certain to refuse to give a vote of confidence in this government.
Scholz will then appeal to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag
The President will have three weeks to consider the request. If he agrees, which is likely, early elections will have to be held within 60 days.
"Our country needs a stable majority and a functioning government", said Mr Steinmeier in response to the collapse of the Scholz majority, indicating that he would accept the Chancellor's request.
The President has already indicated that he considers Scholz's request for elections on Sunday, February 23, realistic.
If the Scholz government had completed its term of office, the normal parliamentary elections would have been held on 28 September.
The vote of confidence procedure to bring forward elections is quite rare in Germany and is only the fifth time it has been held since the establishment of the Federal Republic in 1949.
Based on ELTA reports
