Germany Scholz ready to negotiate on time for vote of confidence

Following the end of his "traffic light" coalition, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is ready to discuss the timing of a vote of confidence and the subsequent new election. On the fringes of the informal EU summit in Budapest, however, he called for an agreement in the Bundestag on which laws should still be passed.

"I already announced on Wednesday evening that I would like to facilitate new elections in Germany quickly so that there is clarity soon after the FDP leaves the coalition. We should discuss the date as calmly as possible," said Scholz. According to him, it would be good if the democratic parliamentary groups in the Bundestag could "reach an agreement on which laws can be passed this year."

Scholz went on to say: "This agreement could then also answer the question of the right time to call a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, also with regard to the possible new election date."

The election date is not a purely political date. It must also meet the requirements of the Federal Returning Officer in order to allow sufficient time for the organization of a fair and democratic election.

Following the failure of the "traffic light" coalition, there was an exchange of blows in the Bundestag over when the early federal election should take place. Speakers from the SPD and the Greens defended Scholz's previous timetable of calling a vote of confidence in parliament on January 15 in a question and answer session on Friday. The new election could then take place in March. The opposition renewed its insistent demands for an earlier date.

Christian Democrats: Do not cling to office

The Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei (CDU), 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 accused Scholz of a "transparent attempt" to make the FDP solely responsible and a scapegoat for the "traffic light" break-up. "The bankruptcy of the traffic light is the bankruptcy of Olaf Scholz."

Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) on Wednesday 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. The election would then take place one day before the inauguration of future US President Donald Trump.

FDP also in favor of a quick 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 there were urgent decisions to be made for Germany, such as for the business location or a secure pension.

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.

SDA