Official announcement from the German government or reputable news outlets

German Chancellor Scholz Fires FDP Leader Lindner After Call for Early Elections

Nov 6, 2024, 07:59 PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democrats (FDP), the smallest party in the coalition government, according to government sources. The dismissal follows Lindner's proposal for early elections to resolve a budget crisis, a suggestion Scholz rejected. Lindner, who had threatened to leave the coalition, was sacked amid ongoing disputes over the government's economic strategy. The three parties in the ruling coalition are engaged in crisis talks at the chancellery. The move raises the prospect of an early election and casts uncertainty over the future of Germany's three-party ruling coalition. Scholz is expected to hold a confidence vote in mid-January, which could trigger new elections by March 2025. Scholz is set to make a statement shortly.