German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament today following severe political instability and mistrust that engulfed the country’s ruling coalition government. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government failed to secure a vote of confidence, resulting in his removal from office. Along with dissolving parliament, the president set February 23 as the date for new elections.
This decision was made in line with a prior agreement between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which President Steinmeier formally announced today.
It is worth noting that this is the sixth time in Germany’s history since 1949 that a government has collapsed before completing its full term, paving the way for early elections.
