German president dissolves Parliament and calls february elections
Political crisis forces early election announcement
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the dissolution of the Bundestag, following a request from Chancellor Olaf Scholz. New elections are scheduled for February 23, marking an extraordinary development in German politics.
The decision follows the collapse of the governing coalition and a failed vote of confidence earlier this week. This motion against Scholz was only the sixth in post-World War II German history, highlighting the political instability within the current administration.
A rare premature end to German governance
The current coalition’s disintegration represents only the third time since 1949 that a German government has been forced into early elections. The upcoming vote reflects growing tensions between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and its key opposition, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Steinmeier’s agreement to Scholz’s request aligns with a prearranged timeline supported by the SPD and CDU, underscoring the urgency of restoring governmental stability.
This breaking news will have significant implications for Germany’s domestic and European policy. Further updates are expected as the political landscape evolves.