Scholz Faces Confidence Vote to Trigger February 23 Elections Amid Coalition Collapse

Dec 16, 2024, 10:04 AM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to face a confidence vote in the Bundestag today at 1 pm, marking the first such vote in nearly 20 years. The confidence vote follows the collapse of his coalition government, and Scholz intends to lose the vote to trigger snap elections on February 23. By losing the vote, Scholz aims to dissolve the Bundestag and initiate early elections. He delivered a speech to lawmakers before the vote, calling for massive new investments in infrastructure and defense. There are concerns that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party might vote in his favor, potentially complicating the process. Major parties have declared their intentions ahead of the vote, with the Greens indicating they will abstain to prevent any tactical moves by the AfD. The outcome of the vote is expected to set the stage for a turbulent political period leading up to the early elections.