A snap election to the German parliament may be held on February 23, 2025, German media reported, citing sources in the opposition bloc of the Christian Democratic and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU).
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to hold a vote of confidence before Christmas, paving the way for new elections in February. The German government has failed to agree on a solution to the economic crisis, leading to the resignation of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). His dismissal led to the collapse of the ruling tricolour coalition.
With the withdrawal of the Liberals from the ruling coalition, the Democrats and Greens are now in a minority in the Bundestag, and it is now entirely up to the opposition to pass bills agreed to before the coalition collapsed.
Scholz initially said he would hold a vote of confidence on January 15, paving the way for new elections by the end of March. But leaders of other parties, including Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative CDU, have called on Scholz to accelerate the deadline.
Germany is in the midst of a political crisis that has been exacerbated by disagreements over the budget and economic policy. In particular, one point of contention has been the continuation of aid to Ukraine and the debate over loosening the “debt brake,” a rule that prohibits spending more than the budget receives.
