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

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz announces plans to backtrack on climate action and tackle immigration control in wake of chancellor’s announcement.   13:29Kate Connolly Merz accused Scholz of dividing Germany,

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.

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.

Germany’s election campaign kicks into high gear on Wednesday, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes his case in a public address for another term, despite polls showing voters are overwhelmingly looking for a change.

Mr Scholz declared his plans for the vote of confidence one week after his three-party coalition government collapsed.

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

The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced a vote of confidence in his government following the coalition's collapse. This move could pave the way for early parliamentary elections, which pose significant political and organisational challenges.