Germany’s government coalition has collapsed in a dramatic fashion as Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats. Despite calls from opposition leaders for early elections, Scholz announced on Thursday that he would lead the country with a minority government. Chancellor Scholz stated that the minority government would consist of his Social Democrats and the Greens until early next year.
This announcement comes in the face of demands from Friedrich Merz, leader of the biggest opposition bloc in parliament from the center-right Christian Democrats, who called for an immediate no-confidence vote and new elections. Reiterating his stance on Thursday, Scholz emphasized that he does not plan to call a vote of confidence before January 15. “The citizens will soon have the opportunity to decide anew how to proceed,” Scholz explained, as reported by the German news agency dpa.
“That is their right. I will therefore put the vote of confidence to the Bundestag at the beginning of next year.” A morning meeting between Merz and Scholz at the chancellery regarding a date for the next election ended abruptly, with Merz leaving without comment after less than an hour.
Later on Thursday, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially dismissed Finance Minister Lindner and two other Free Democrats officials who had resigned — Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann. Meanwhile, Transport Mi.
