Chancellor Scholz dismisses Finance Minister Lindner amid coalition disputes in Germany

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner amid ongoing disputes within the ruling coalition over economic policies. Lindner, from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), had pushed for reforms that were not supported by Scholz's party. Scholz announced a confidence vote for January 15, 2025, which could lead to early parliamentary elections in March. He stated that Lindner's actions had broken his trust and hindered effective governance. The dismissal follows weeks of negotiations on Germany's economic strategy, as the country faces budget challenges and a potential recession. Lindner had suggested early elections as a solution, but Scholz rejected this proposal.