Germany is heading to the polls: Following the dissolution of the government last week, media outlets in Germany reported today (Tuesday) that the coalition and opposition parties have agreed to hold elections for the German parliament on February 23.
According to the report, the Bundestag is expected to raise the opposition members' no-confidence motion on December 16 – and then the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will set the official date for the elections. However, it was said that Steinmeier is expected to accept the parties' request to hold the elections on the agreed date.
The fall of Olaf Scholz's government comes after the chancellor decided last week to dismiss Finance Minister Christian Lindner due to disputes over the state budget. As a result, Lindner's "Free Democrats" party withdrew from the coalition, leaving him without a majority in parliament.
"I would like to avoid making this difficult decision, especially in the times we are in and when uncertainty is increasing," said Scholz. However, the chancellor claimed that Lindner "only cares about his political survival." Serious government work cannot be conducted like this. On the other hand, Lindner said that Scholz "downplays the economic concerns of the citizens." His proposals are boring, lack ambition, and do nothing to combat the weak growth of the economy.
