Germany is heading for early elections.

16.12.2024 18:50

The process for early elections has begun in the country following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's failure to obtain a vote of confidence in the Federal Assembly.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed to receive a vote of confidence in the Federal Assembly. The country will go to early elections within 60 days.

SCHOLZ FAILED TO GET A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, COUNTRY GOING TO EARLY ELECTIONS

The crisis that began when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the Finance Minister, one of the coalition partners, in November escalated. Scholz appeared before the Federal Assembly to seek a vote of confidence. When the Assembly did not grant Scholz a vote of confidence, the country decided to go for early elections.

GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED AFTER DISMISSING THE FINANCE MINISTER

On November 6, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who is also the leader of the FDP, during a meeting with representatives of the coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). After the meeting, the FDP withdrew its ministers from the government, leading to the collapse of the government, which was referred to as the "traffic light coalition" due to its colors.

On December 11, Scholz stated that he wanted to request a vote of confidence from the Assembly on December 16, in accordance with Article 68 of the German Constitution, to pave the way for early elections, saying, "If the members of the Assembly follow the path I proposed, I will suggest to President Steinmeier on Monday afternoon to dissolve the Assembly."

AGREEMENT ON ELECTION DATE OF FEBRUARY 23

After the collapse of the government, the parliamentary groups of the SPD, the Greens, and the Christian Union (CDU/CSU) agreed on the election date of February 23, 2025. The final decision on the election date will be made by President Steinmeier. However, the parties have already started working for early elections.

According to Article 68 of the Constitution, after the Prime Minister submits a motion to request a vote of confidence to the Assembly, a vote is held in the Federal Assembly. If the motion is not accepted by the majority of the Assembly, the President dissolves the Assembly within 21 days at the Prime Minister's suggestion. When the Prime Minister fails to receive a vote of confidence, the President requests early elections, and it is anticipated that general elections will be held in Germany within 60 days after this process.