Germany schedules snap election for February after coalition collapse
Germany will hold a snap election on February 23, 2024, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition collapsed last week. The decision follows an agreement between the main political parties to restore stability amid economic challenges. Scholz will seek a vote of confidence on December 16, which is expected to fail. This will allow President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag, leading to the elections within 60 days. The conservative Christian Democrats currently lead in polls, while Scholz's Social Democrats are trailing. The election will take place during winter, which may affect voter turnout.