Germany’s Scholz to Submit Request for Confidence Vote, Triggering Potential Early Elections

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BERLIN, Dec 11 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to submit a request to parliament on Wednesday to hold a vote of confidence, marking a necessary step toward triggering new federal elections following the collapse of his coalition last month.

Since the fractious breakup of his coalition between the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP), Germany’s policymaking has largely stalled, leaving Scholz to lead a minority government. However, under Germany’s political system, the head of government cannot unilaterally call for new elections. Instead, the process ensures stability by involving other branches of power, including parliament and the presidency.

A government spokesperson confirmed that Scholz would make the request for the vote in writing on Wednesday. The confidence vote is scheduled for December 16, where Scholz is expected to lose, as his government no longer holds a majority. Should he lose, Scholz will then request the president to dissolve parliament, setting the stage for new elections.

This development follows a significant political setback in neighboring France, where former Prime Minister Michel Barnier recently lost a no-confidence vote. Scholz’s confidence vote comes just ten days after that political instability, highlighting the challenges facing two of Europe’s largest powers.

Scholz and opposition leaders have agreed to hold the vote on February 23, preparing for a short, winter election campaign. Currently, polling data suggests the opposition conservatives are on track to win, with a recent survey putting them at 31%, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany at 18%, Scholz’s SPD at 17%, and the Greens at 13%.

The FDP and the newly-formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance are polling just below the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament, both at 4%. However, analysts note that polls can shift quickly, recalling how the conservatives went from frontrunners to runners-up in the 2021 election campaign.

Scholz is set to become the fifth Chancellor in Germany’s post-World War II history to call for a vote of confidence.

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