The Bundestag will discuss the issue of confidence in Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz today, which could become the first step toward early elections in the country.
Scholz proposed putting this issue to a vote with the intention of effectively losing the support of the majority of parliamentarians. His goal is to initiate a process that could lead to elections as soon as February 23 of next year. If Scholz loses the support of the majority of deputies, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be required to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.
Such a scenario is only possible in the case of Scholz’s defeat. Coalition parties, such as the Greens, may abstain from voting to pave the way for new elections. However, if the opposition, including representatives of the Alternative for Germany party, votes in favor of Scholz, the plan could fail.
According to the Constitution, Steinmeier will have three weeks to decide whether to dissolve parliament. He may also choose not to take this step, leaving Scholz to govern in a minority position, but such an outcome is unlikely. In the case of dissolution, elections must be held within 60 days.
In Germany’s history, the issue of confidence in the chancellor has been raised five times.
For example, in 1972, Willy Brandt used it to call for new elections, after which his party achieved record results. In 2005, Gerhard Schröder also initiated elections, which led to a change in power in favor of Angela Merkel.
