More than three years after taking office, Olaf Scholz asked the German Bundestag for a vote of confidence. The SPD chancellor emphasized that he wanted to “pave the way” for early elections on February 23.
Scholz had the letter delivered as planned on Wednesday by a messenger from Bundestag chairman Bärbel Bas. What is certain is that Scholz will not get a majority.
21 days to dissolve the Bundestag
In this case, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has 21 days to dissolve the Bundestag.
This is done at the request of the Chancellor, after which the new election date can be determined. Scholz’s letter contains only two sentences: “Dear President of the Bundestag, in accordance with Article 68 of the Constitution, I submit a request to express your confidence in me. I intend to make a statement on this matter before the vote on Monday, December 16, 2024.”
Looking for stable majorities
It is practically impossible that Steinmeier will refuse to terminate the agreement. He has already made it known that he thinks February 23 is realistic. And he explained the criteria he would use to decide: “Our country needs stable majorities and a government that is able to act.”
This has no longer been the case since the expulsion of FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner and subsequent departure from the traffic light coalition on November 6. Since then, Scholz has led a government supported by the SPD and the Greens, which no longer has a majority in the German Bundestag and therefore cannot implement anything without support from the opposition.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
