German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that he will ask for a vote of confidence on Dec. 16, paving the way forward for an early parliamentary election in February

Let us, for the good of the country, work together until the new election,’ Scholz tells Bundestag after collapse of government.   13:26 Merz received warm and sustained applause after his speech.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he'll hold a vote of confidence in parliament next month ahead of election next year

Scholz has suggested holding a vote of confidence in his government on Jan. 15, with a snap election in March, but the conservative opposition led by Friedrich Merz wants an election in January. "Olaf Scholz should call a vote of confidence in December so that everything can be clarified before Christmas and the New Year," Hofreiter told Bild.

Germany's governing coalition had long been characterized by perpetual bickering and very little progress. Ultimately, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finance Minister Christian Lindner found it impossible to get along.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian democratic (CDU/CSU) opposition, is pushing for a confidence vote before Christmas.

BERLIN - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Nov 10 that he would be willing to call a vote of confidence in Parliament before Christmas, a move that would pave the way for snap elections following the collapse of his three-way governing coalition.

Germany's embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday he would be ready to ask for a confidence vote this year to pave the way for snap elections.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under increasing pressure from rival parties to accelerate plans for a general election, with conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz calling for a crucial vote to set the process going as early as Wednesday.

The decision follows the Free Democrats’ exit from the coalition, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz without a majority.