Germany faces pressure for quick elections after coalition government collapse

Germany's coalition government has collapsed, prompting calls for immediate elections. Opposition parties and businesses are urging Chancellor Olaf Scholz to hold a confidence vote by next week, following his dismissal of finance minister Christian Lindner over budget disputes. Scholz plans a confidence vote in January, which he is likely to lose, potentially leading to elections by March. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz argues this timeline is too slow and demands a quicker resolution to avoid prolonged political instability. In the interim, Scholz will rely on temporary parliamentary majorities to govern. The rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party complicates the potential for a stable coalition in future elections.