Germany’s Scholz will ask for a vote of confidence in December | Political Affairs

Party leaders agree on the dates for a confidence vote on December 16 and a new election on February 23.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he would ask for a vote of confidence on December 16, paving the way for the first parliamentary elections in February.

The German leader confirmed his plan during his speech to parliament on Wednesday, a week after the collapse of his three-party coalition government.

“The date of the end of February has been set and I am very grateful for that,” said Scholz, adding that he will try to pass important legislation in parliament before then, such as funding for children from poor families, or amendments. in the country’s constitution to make the supreme court more resistant to political interference.

He said he would submit a motion for a vote of confidence on December 11, so that the Bundestag could make a decision on this on December 16. The chancellor wanted an early election in late March – before the vote. scheduled for September 2025.

However, the centre-right opposition party has pushed for an early vote in parliament to speed up the upcoming election.

Finally, the leaders of the political parties agreed on Wednesday for two days of confidence voting and new elections on February 23.

During his speech, Scholz, along with the head of the opposition Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, had already switched to campaigning – although the hottest part of campaigning usually starts about six weeks before elections in Germany.

“There is a lot of freedom in our country. For a week now, the so-called progressive coalition … has become history. And that’s good news going on in Germany,” said Merz to the applause of the Christian Democrats when he spoke after Scholz in parliament.

“You are dividing the country, Mr Chancellor. You are the one who is facing these disputes with this German wing,” Merz attacked Scholz in his speech. “You can’t rule a country like this.”

He accused the councilor of trying to delay the vote of confidence and said he should have called it immediately.