Germany's Free Democrats Vote to Stay in Three-Party Coalition

Members of the Free Democrats have voted to remain in the German coalition government, despite declining poll ratings and growing tensions. The non-binding ballot revealed that a slim majority of 52.2% voted to stay in the government, with party leaders expressing relief at the outcome. The decision follows complaints about poor election results and speculation about the coalition's ability to last the remaining two years of its term amidst an economic crisis. The Free Democrats' fiscally orthodox positions have become increasingly difficult to promote as Germany faces unprecedented costs from the war in Ukraine and the need for an accelerated energy transition. The vote reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the coalition due to its diverse ideological positions and the current economic climate.