German government collapses as Chancellor Scholz dismisses finance minister
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leading to the collapse of the coalition government. Scholz accused Lindner of being untrustworthy, while Lindner criticized Scholz's leadership. This conflict has left Scholz without a majority in the Bundestag. Scholz plans a confidence vote on January 15. If he loses, he may call for early elections, potentially moving the next federal elections to late March, six months earlier than scheduled. The Conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, is pushing for immediate elections. Merz, recently elected as the Conservative candidate for chancellor, aims to close Germany's borders to asylum seekers and has expressed support for Ukraine. His approach contrasts with former Chancellor Angela Merkel's policies, signaling a shift in Germany's political landscape.