German opposition demands immediate confidence vote as coalition government collapses

Germany's coalition government has collapsed due to disagreements over economic policies, prompting opposition conservatives to call for an immediate confidence vote. Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to hold elections by March, six months earlier than originally scheduled. The coalition fell apart after tensions over budget issues and economic recovery strategies. Scholz dismissed his finance minister, leading to the withdrawal of the Free Democrats from the government, leaving only the Social Democrats and Greens. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz demands a confidence vote by early next week, arguing that a government without a majority cannot function effectively. Scholz has appointed Joerg Kukies as the new finance minister amid this political turmoil.