DW radio reported that the German parliament voted no confidence in the coalition government of Prime Minister Olaf Scholz on December 16. There were 394 parliamentarians voting against the government while 207 parliamentarians were in favor, 116 people voted blank. To continue to be trusted, Mr. Scholz needs a majority of votes in support (367 votes).
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz spoke in parliament on December 16
In fact, this vote of no confidence is part of Mr. Scholz’s calculations. Mr. Scholz’s ruling coalition lost its majority in parliament after the prime minister dismissed Finance Minister and leader of the liberal FDP party Christian Lindner because of budget conflicts. The developments made it impossible for the minority government of the SDP and Green parties to pass major bills and a new budget, forcing Mr. Scholz to seek early elections. The crisis took place in the context of the Western European country’s economic stagnation.
According to the sheet Financial Timesonly the prime minister has the right to propose a vote of no confidence and that is the main mechanism to dissolve parliament and hold early elections.
This right has been used five times since 1949, three of which led to early elections. During those three times, Mr. Willy Brandt and Mr. Helmut Kohl won the following elections and continued to be prime ministers while Mr. Gerhard Schroder lost to Mrs. Angela Merkel in 2005.
Before the vote, some far-right AfD party lawmakers said they would vote in support of Mr. Scholz to prevent the prime minister’s early election plan. Center-right CDU candidate Friedrich Merz is leading the race and is a supporter of providing long-range missiles to Ukraine while the AfD opposes.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz (right) meets President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after a vote of no confidence
However, the survey shows that Mr. Merz is likely to have to join hands with Mr. Scholz’s SDP party or the Green party to form a majority government.
According to procedure, the German Chancellor went to the presidential palace to ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve parliament and allow general elections. The upcoming election is scheduled to take place on February 23, 2025.
