German political landscape shifts as early elections called
The German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, dissolved the Bundestag and announced early elections on 23 February 2025. He agreed to the request of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose minority government did not receive a vote of confidence.
The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, decided to dissolve the Bundestag, leading to early parliamentary elections scheduled for 23 February 2025. This decision is a response to the request of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose minority government did not obtain a vote of confidence on 16 December.
"In difficult times like these, stability requires a government capable of acting and a credible majority in parliament," Steinmeier stated in Berlin, explaining his decision.
According to the vote of confidence, the current government no longer has a majority. During discussions, however, I could not see any majority for a government in a different composition. Therefore, I am convinced that new elections are now the best way for the good of our country," said Steinmeier, quoted by the dpa agency.
The President of Germany also assured that until the new Bundestag is constituted, the parliament will continue its work. "The upcoming weeks must be dedicated to finding the best solutions for the challenges of our times," President Steinmeier assessed.
Political earthquake in Germany
The ruling coalition, consisting of the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP, disbanded in early November after about three years of joint governance. The conflict between the parties concerned, among other things, the level of the budget deficit and the ways of financing it.
On 16 December, the Bundestag voted on the vote of confidence for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government, but - as predicted - Scholz did not receive the necessary majority in parliament. He therefore turned to Steinmeier with a request to dissolve the Bundestag to pave the way for new elections.
According to a survey by the Insa centre, which the German "Bild" wrote about recently, as many as 64 per cent of Germans positively assess the dissolution of the ruling coalition. More than half of respondents wanted early parliamentary elections to be held as soon as possible.
The date for the early elections to the Bundestag, 23 February, was previously agreed upon by the leaders of the SPD and Christian Democratic parliamentary groups. According to the Basic Law, the President of Germany may dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days at the request of the Federal Chancellor if the head of the German government does not obtain a vote of confidence. After dissolving parliament, new elections must be held within 60 days.
Early elections could significantly impact the future of the German political scene. German media emphasise the historic nature of this situation. The disbandment of the coalition and the lack of a vote of confidence in Scholz's government indicate the need for a new balance of power in the Bundestag.
