Germany faces snap election as ruling coalition collapses

Germany's ruling coalition collapsed on Wednesday after Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner. This move is expected to lead to a snap election, as Scholz prepares to lead a minority government with the Social Democrats and Greens. The coalition's breakdown follows months of disputes over budget policies and economic direction. Scholz plans to hold a confidence vote on January 15, which could trigger elections by the end of March. The government faces challenges from rising far-right and far-left parties amid a struggling economy. Scholz accused Lindner of obstructing budget discussions and prioritizing party interests. The coalition's disagreements included proposals for increased spending to support Ukraine and the economy, which Lindner opposed, citing fiscal responsibility.