Germany’s political landscape has been rocked by a sudden and dramatic collapse of the ruling coalition, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz firing his Finance Minister and triggering the possibility of snap elections, Al Jazeera reports.
The move, announced Wednesday evening, follows months of bitter wrangling over budget policy and economic direction. Scholz cited Finance Minister Christian Lindner’s “obstructive behaviour” on budgetary matters, accusing him of prioritizing party interests over the country’s needs.
Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), now plans to lead a minority government with the support of the Greens. However, this precarious arrangement leaves him dependent on cobbled-together parliamentary majorities to pass legislation, with a vote of confidence scheduled for January 15th. Failure could lead to early elections by March.
The crisis comes at a critical juncture for Germany, facing economic stagnation, aging infrastructure, and a military ill-equipped to address current challenges.
Adding to the turmoil, Scholz has appealed to opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for support in passing the budget and boosting military spending. Merz is expected to respond later today.
Lindner, leader of the Free Democrats (FDP), countered that Scholz attempted to force him into breaking the constitutionally mandated debt brake, a move the fiscal hawk refused to endorse.
The collapse of the coalition comes hours after Donald Trump’s election as US President, further complicating Germany’s position within a shifting global landscape.
The crisis has raised concerns about rising frustration with mainstream parties and potential gains for populist movements, including the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
