Germany's leader expected to lead country with minority government after coalition collapse

Date:

Share post:


BERLIN — After German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dramatically fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats in a late-night move after a marathon of crisis meetings, the three remaining ministers of the Free Democrats also resigned later at night effectively leading to the government coalition’s collapse.

Lindner will receive his certificate of dismissal from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday afternoon and, to ensure a smooth transition, a successor will likely be named right after. The posts of the research, transport and justice ministers who resigned may also be filled Thursday, German news agency dpa reported.

Scholz announced late Wednesday that he would seek a vote of confidence on Jan. 15 that he said might lead to an early election as soon as March — which otherwise would have been be due next September.

Scholz had accused Lindner of breaching his trust and publicly calling for a fundamentally different economic policy, including what the chancellor said would be tax cuts worth billions for a few top earners while at the same time cutting pensions for all retirees.

“That is not decent,” Scholz said.

Scholz’s left-leaning Social Democrats will now effectively lead a minority government with the remaining coalition partner, the environmentalist Greens.

The chancellor announced late Wednesday that he would reach out to the leader of the biggest opposition leader in parliament, Friedrich Merz from the center-right Christian Democrats, to confer on possible ways of strengthening the economy and defense, and passing important legislation through parliament.

The collapse of the coalition came after weeks of disputes among the coalition partners over ways to boost the country’s ailing economy.

Lindner’s pro-business Free Democrats had rejected tax increases or changes to Germany’s strict self-imposed limits on running up debt. Scholz’s Social Democrats and the Greens wanted to see major state investment and rejected the Free Democrats’ proposals to cut welfare programs.

However, pushing through new legislation and plugging the billion-euro hole in the 2025 budget won’t become easier for Scholz’s Social Democrats and the Greens as their government no longer has a majority in parliament.

The governor of the German state of Bavaria, Markus Söder, a leading figure in Germany’s center-right opposition, said that an early election should be held earlier than March.

“No more time can be lost now,” Söder wrote on X, calling for a new vote and government quickly. “There must be no tactical delays.”



Source link

Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden
Lisa Holden is a news writer for LinkDaddy News. She writes health, sport, tech, and more. Some of her favorite topics include the latest trends in fitness and wellness, the best ways to use technology to improve your life, and the latest developments in medical research.

Recent posts

Related articles

What's next for EVs under President Trump?

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order promising to eliminate what he incorrectly labels “the...

Rosy December for small business sales, but restaurants are left out

NEW YORK -- Small businesses had a merry December, as shoppers wrapped up their holiday shopping.That's according...

Global shares trade mixed in a muted reaction to the U.S. inauguration

TOKYO -- Global shares were mixed in a muted reaction Tuesday to the inauguration of U.S. President...

Sequel to Prince Harry's feud with British tabloids begins in high-stakes trial

LONDON -- The sequel to Prince Harry vs. the British tabloids begins Tuesday in a high-stakes pitting...

Dozens of firms pull ads from Japanese network over sex scandal linked to its staff and celebrity

TOKYO -- Dozens of major Japanese companies have pulled their commercials on Fuji Television amid allegations company...

Canada relieved Trump doesn’t impose tariffs on the major US trading partner on first day

TORONTO -- Canadian leaders expressed relief Monday that broad tariffs were not applied to Canadian products on...

Prada offers savage, instinctive menswear during Milan Fashion Week

MILAN -- MILAN (AP) — Miuccia Prada and her co-creative director Raf Simons described the latest Prada...

Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall St's strong finish ahead of Trump's inauguration

BANGKOK -- Asian shares advanced early Monday after U.S. stock indexes rallied to close out their best...