Germany Scholz wants a quick vote and attacks the FDP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has justified the vote of confidence with the aim of calling an early election with the important political issues to be decided. "This decision is so fundamental that it must be made by the sovereign himself, by the voters," said the head of government in the Bundestag.
16.12.2024, 13:46
SDA
"Bringing forward the Bundestag elections is also my goal," said Scholz. In the early election, "the citizens can then determine the political course of our country. That's what it's all about." For example, it is about whether Germany dares to invest powerfully in its future. Scholz spoke out in favor of higher government spending and more new debt. "We have to pull the lever, and we have to do it now," said Scholz.
Scholz's "traffic light" coalition collapsed on November 6 in a dispute over the debt brake. At the time, Scholz had dismissed Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner. Lindner had opposed the suspension of the debt brake. Scholz now accused the Free Democrats of "weeks of sabotaging the government".
"The denial of reality must stop," said Scholz. "Politics is not a game. Entering a government requires the necessary moral maturity," said Scholz, without specifically naming the FDP and its ministers.
Should Scholz lose the vote of confidence, as intended, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can dissolve the Bundestag and call new elections. These are to take place on February 23. Scholz had originally envisaged an election date towards the end of March.
