Scholz Faces Confidence Vote Today to Trigger February Elections

Dec 16, 2024, 04:58 AM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to face a confidence vote in the Bundestag on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 13:00, following the collapse of his coalition government last month. The vote, which Scholz is expected to lose, is intended to trigger early federal elections scheduled for February 23, 2025. The coalition, comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP, collapsed due to disagreements over economic policies and a lack of leadership and experience. The Greens plan to abstain from the vote, facilitating the loss of confidence. In preparation for the upcoming elections, major parties are unveiling their election programmes. The SPD has released a 60-page draft focusing on investment incentives, social welfare, and higher taxes for the wealthy, including a 'Made in Germany' investment premium and tax deductions for electric vehicle purchases. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU is leading in the polls, with the latest INSA survey showing them at 31%, ahead of the SPD at 17% and the AfD at 20%. This will be the first time in nearly 20 years that a German Chancellor has sought a confidence vote to initiate new elections.