Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s loss of confidence has prompted Germany to hold early elections in 2025, despite being the largest economy in Europe and usually a beacon of stability.
Scholz’s coalition had been unstable for months before the budget dispute that brought down his government in November.
The vote, which he himself described as a means of securing an early national election, defeated him. The vote resulted in 394 ballots against him, 207 in his favor, and 116 abstentions.
The election is scheduled for February 23 of the next year.
German voters will elect seven significant political parties.
The Christian Democrats (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), the two perennially prevalent parties in German politics, unofficially referred to as the Union, comprise one grouping. Another grouping comprises the Social Democrats, also known as the SPD.
Winners seek partners to form majorities. Scholz’s SPD had ruled in an uneasy coalition with the liberal FDP and Green Party since 2021. Before Scholz’s three-party coalition, Angela Merkel’s CDU had partnered with the SPD and FDP in different governments for 16 years.
The economy, which has been particularly sluggish under Scholz, will significantly influence the election.
In recent days, the German Central Bank has revised its growth forecasts downward by 0.2%.
Immigration debates will also be crucial in this election, particularly as parties attempt to divert votes from the burgeoning AfD, which has elevated it to a central concern.
