Scholz Defends Coalition, Seeks Opposition Support

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to opposition lawmakers on Wednesday to support key legislation ahead of the early elections scheduled for February 2025. In his speech to parliament, Scholz urged cooperation among democratic parties to address the country’s economic and social challenges, calling for compromise in the coming weeks.

Scholz defended his recent decision to dismiss the liberal finance minister and end the coalition with the Free Democrats (FDP), calling it a “right and inevitable” move due to ongoing disagreements. He expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached among parliamentary groups on the process for new elections, which will take place on February 23, as agreed with the opposition Christian Democrats.

Scholz outlined plans to request a vote of confidence on December 11, with a parliamentary decision expected by December 16, which will set the stage for the early elections. He emphasized that this process would allow citizens to decide the country’s future direction. According to the German Constitution, early elections can be triggered if the chancellor loses a vote of confidence and the president dissolves parliament at the chancellor’s request.
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