President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has decided to dissolve the Bundestag and announce early elections in Germany. The elections have become necessary because the government has lost its parliamentary majority.
After consultations with all political parties, Steinmeier decided that the early elections would take place on February 23, 2025. “In difficult times, a government capable of action is needed,” said President Steinmeier following his decision to dissolve the Bundestag.
Leaders of the political parties, including the SPD, CDU/CSU Union, and other parties, have agreed on the need for new elections and to seek a majority that will offer stability during these challenging times. The parties now aim to form an effective government and a stable majority, Steinmeier explained in his statement regarding the dissolution of the Bundestag and the call for early elections. The early elections were made necessary after Chancellor Scholz and his government lost a vote of confidence in the Bundestag. Earlier, Chancellor Scholz had dismissed FDP Minister Lindner, which led to the exit of this party from the current coalition of the SPD, the Greens, and the Liberals. This caused the government to lose its majority in the Bundestag.
Extraordinary Circumstances
The dissolution of the Bundestag and the call for early elections in Germany are extremely rare. This marks the sixth time since World War II that a chancellor has requested a vote of confidence. Three previous occasions were when Chancellor Willy Brandt (SPD) in 1972, Chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU) in 1982, and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) in 2005 faced similar situations. Now, Chancellor Scholz joins this list.
Meanwhile, the political parties have presented their election programs and candidates for chancellor: Olaf Scholz, Friedrich Merz, Robert Habeck, and Alice Weidel. One of them will become Germany’s next chancellor following the early elections.
Source: DW
