Scholz Seeks Early Confidence Vote After Coalition Collapse

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will ask for an early vote of confidence in December, which may lead to elections in February. This action follows the collapse of his three-party coalition. Scholz is now leading a minority government and hopes to gain support from the Christian Democrats.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is poised to request a confidence vote in his government by December 16, aiming to set the stage for new elections possibly in February, according to reports from German media on Tuesday.

This proposed timetable significantly accelerates plans, intended as a conciliatory gesture between Scholz's Social Democratic Party and the opposition-led Christian Democrats.

The decision comes in the wake of the recent collapse of Scholz's three-party coalition, prompting the Chancellor to announce he'll rule with a minority government while seeking legislative support from the Christian Democrats led by Friedrich Merz.

(With inputs from agencies.)