German coalition leaders seek budget agreement to resolve tensions
A senior ally of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed optimism about reaching a budget agreement amid tensions within the ruling coalition. Finance Minister Christian Lindner proposed tax cuts and deregulation, which the other coalition parties oppose, favoring targeted spending instead. Scholz is set to meet with coalition leaders to discuss the budget crisis. The parties are divided on how to address economic challenges, particularly in the automotive sector, with differing views on reallocating funds from a canceled chip factory project. The coalition faces a potential political crisis, with concerns about its stability if no agreement is reached. A collapse could lead to Scholz governing as a minority or trigger early elections, which could be detrimental for all parties involved.