Germany Debate in the German Bundestag about the timetable for a new election

In Germany, the failure of the "traffic light" coalition has led to an exchange of blows in the Bundestag over when the new election should take place.

Speakers from the SPD and the Greens defended Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) timetable to call a vote of confidence in parliament on January 15. The new election could then take place in March. The opposition renewed its insistent demands for the date to be brought forward significantly.

Christian Democrats: Do not cling to office

The Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei, referred to the poor economic situation and the international crises. In such a situation, a Bundestag capable of acting and a Federal Chancellor capable of acting are needed. "If you want to take responsibility for our country, then you can't be stuck in these seats, you have to clear the way for new elections. We need a new stable majority and a new Federal Chancellor for this country quickly," he said.

He accused Scholz of a "transparent attempt" to make the FDP solely responsible and the scapegoat for the "traffic light" break-up. "The bankruptcy of the traffic light is the bankruptcy of Olaf Scholz."

Scholz had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) after a fierce dispute over the budget. The CDU/CSU assumes that the Bundestag election could take place as early as January 19 if Scholz were to face a vote of confidence next week. This would be one day before the inauguration of future US President Donald Trump.

FDP also in favor of a snap election

FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr appealed to his former coalition partners to bring about a quicker vote of confidence. The rump coalition no longer has a majority, for example for tax relief on so-called "cold progression". "Clear the way for this decision by putting the question of confidence to the German Bundestag," said Dürr.

SPD against election campaign over Christmas

SPD parliamentary group deputy Dirk Wiese warned against a hasty re-election with an election campaign at Christmas. An orderly and responsible path to a new election was necessary. Wiese went on to say that urgent decisions had to be made for Germany. He mentioned decisions for the business location and a secure pension, for example.

Scholz had announced that he wanted to put all bills to a vote in the Bundestag by Christmas which, in his view, could not be delayed. However, without the FDP, the red-green party no longer has a majority in the Bundestag.

The First Parliamentary Secretary of the Green parliamentary group, Irene Mihalic, said that there must be an orderly transition to new elections.

AfD: clear the way

The voters must now put their foot down very quickly, demanded Bernd Baumann, First Parliamentary Secretary of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Scholz must clear the way for immediate new elections.

Bundestag elections in Germany usually take place in late summer or fall.

SDA