Germany's coalition government collapses amid internal conflict and budget disputes

Germany's coalition government has collapsed after years of internal conflict, prompting calls for an immediate vote of confidence from opposition conservatives. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition fell apart over budget disagreements and economic revival strategies. Scholz fired his finance minister, leading to the withdrawal of the fiscally conservative Free Democrats from the coalition. The chancellor plans to hold a confidence vote in January, which may trigger elections by March, earlier than originally scheduled. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz argues that a vote should happen sooner, as Germany faces economic challenges and lacks a stable government. Joerg Kukies has been appointed as the new finance minister.