Germany to hold vote of confidence and dissolve parliament for early elections

(CLO) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he will ask for a vote of confidence on December 16, paving the way for early parliamentary elections in February.

Speaking in the Bundestag on November 13, Chancellor Scholz confirmed that he would pave the way for new elections by calling a confidence vote on December 16. The German President would then dissolve the Bundestag, and February 23 is now set as the election date.

The German leader confirmed his plans a week after his three-party coalition government collapsed.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) is seeking support from his main rival, Friedrich Merz (right). Photo: dpa

"The date at the end of February has been set and I am very grateful for that," Mr. Scholz said, adding that he would try to pass important legislation in Congress before then, such as tax cuts, economic development, increased child benefits, and monthly public transport card extensions.

In his speech, Mr Scholz, as well as the leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party Friedrich Merz, went into campaign mode, although the intense phase of the campaign usually only begins about six weeks before an election in Germany.

“The question is whether we move forward as partners around the world, investing in our future and holding our country together, or whether we compete with each other and risk our future and our unity,” Mr. Scholz said.

Mr Merz, whose conservative party leads in opinion polls, hit back, accusing the chancellor of being responsible for polarisation in Germany.

The prime minister had initially wanted to hold early elections at the end of March. However, the centre-right Christian opposition pushed for a quicker vote in parliament to speed up the next election. Party leaders finally agreed on November 13 to set a date for a confidence vote on December 16 and a new election on February 23.

Ngoc Anh (according to DW)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/duc-sap-bo-phieu-tin-nhiem-va-giai-tan-quoc-hoi-de-bau-cu-som-post321304.html