German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a Bundestag meeting in Berlin, Germany, on November 7, 2024, where new Finance Minister Joerg Kukies fired the former Finance Minister. Christian Lindner was sworn in on his second day.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images
Germany is set to hold federal elections in February, earlier than Chancellor Olaf Scholz initially proposed after taking power. Ruling coalition collapses last week.
Scholz last week hinted at a March election and said he would hold a confidence vote in January.
According to sources within the parliamentary group of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by Scholz, the election is scheduled to be held on February 23.
According to reports, the confidence vote will be held on December 16. If a majority of Bundestag members vote that they no longer have confidence in the chancellor, he can recommend to the German president that parliament be dissolved.
The president then has 21 days to act to trigger elections, which must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of parliament. The president also has the final say on setting an election date.
Scholz faced increased pressure Hold elections earlier than he suggested. However, authorities warned over the weekend that there could be logistical difficulties and organizational risks without adequate preparation time before election day.
The three-year-old ruling coalition of Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) fell apart last week after the prime minister resigned. Former Finance Minister Christian Lindner was fired.
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