Published December 16, 2024 at 5:02 p.m.
Foreign Affairs. Germany's Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, which means the end of his controversial left-liberal government. Die Welt reports.
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With 394 votes against and only 207 in favor – and 116 abstentions – it is clear that the way is open for new elections in Germany.
Scholz is now expected to head to Schloss Bellevue to ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag. If Steinmeier approves this, which according to several sources he has already signaled that he intends to do, new elections will be held on February 23, 2025. This means that the planned regular elections in September 2025 will be brought forward.
The crisis is rooted in the cracks within the so-called traffic light coalition, where the liberal FDP leader and former Finance Minister Christian Lindner has broken with Scholz and the environmental party The Greens. In his speech, Scholz accused the FDP of “week-long sabotage” of the government and questioned the party's political maturity.
– Entering a government requires the necessary moral maturity, said Scholz.
Lindner countered with criticism of Scholz's economic policy, in which he particularly opposed a proposed VAT reduction on food.
– The Federal Republic cannot be governed as if it were a carnival, said Lindner.
It is the sixth time in German history that a vote of confidence has been held in the Bundestag. Scholz will continue as interim chancellor until a new government can be installed after the election.