Germany to Hold Snap Elections February 23

Germany is set to hold snap elections on February 23, 2025, after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition, triggered by his dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP). This decision led to the FDP withdrawing from the coalition, leaving Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens without a majority in the Bundestag. A vote of confidence will occur on December 16, which is expected to fail, paving the way for the elections. Scholz initially proposed a later election date but faced pressure from the opposition, particularly Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who argued for a quicker resolution due to the unstable political climate. The coalition, known as the 'traffic light coalition', was formed in 2021 but faced increasing tensions over domestic issues, including taxation and climate policy. The upcoming elections will be critical for restoring political stability in Germany amid broader geopolitical challenges.