Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, fired Christian Lindner, the finance minister. The Politico website wrote that the governing coalition, which consisted of three parties, had just “sold out”. Germany's prime minister said he would ask parliament for a confidence vote in mid-January, which could lead to early elections in March.
The leaders of the coalition government: the SPD, the Greens and the FDP met on Wednesday in the chancellor's office in Berlin, where they discussed ways to resolve the coalition crisis for two and a half hours. At the heart of the debate was how to close the multibillion-dollar hole in the 2025 budget and get the German economy back on track.
According to the information of “Bild” and “Tagesspiegel” newspapers, Christian Lindner, the chairman of the Democratic Democratic Party, proposed early elections at the meeting of the coalition committee.
Christian Lindner and Olaf ScholzPhoto 26 June 2024PAP/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN
“Dramatic meeting of leaders of three parties”
The situation of the Wednesday meeting of the leaders of the current coalition was described by the Politico website. “During the intense meeting of the leaders of the three parties on Wednesday evening in the chancellor's office, Lindner told Scholz that he did not see the possibility of continuing the coalition and insisted on early elections,” the portal wrote. After this statement, according to two people familiar with the negotiations, Scholz decided to fire the finance minister.
The portal wrote that the ruling coalition has just “collapsed”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt at the Berlin PAP/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN office building
Scholz: I propose a vote of confidence
The Reuters news agency, citing information from the ARD television, reported that a vote of confidence in Scholz's government may be held in the German parliament in January, which, as reported, may lead to elections in March.
Later, at a press conference, Scholz himself confirmed this scenario. He said he would propose a vote of confidence on January 15, confirming that this could lead to elections in March. He added that he will also talk with the leader of the opposition Friedrich Merz.
Olaf Scholz at the Chancellor PAP/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN conference
Scholz: Lindner acted in the interest of his party
Scholz also spoke more broadly about the reasons for Lindner's dismissal. – Everyone who joins the government should act responsibly and reliably, (…), should be ready to compromise for the benefit of all citizens, – he said. – But this is not exactly what Christian Lindner is focusing on now, he is focusing on his voters and the interests of his party, – he added.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN
