Germany's Olaf Scholz appoints Joerg Kukies as new finance minister
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, marking the collapse of the ruling three-party coalition. Scholz has appointed Joerg Kukies, a former investment banker and his close adviser, as the new finance minister. Kukies, 56, has been involved in politics since 2018 and previously served as state secretary in the chancellery. He has represented Scholz at international summits and oversaw the Economic Stabilisation Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition's dissolution follows disputes over economic strategies, with Scholz aiming to maintain power through a minority government. He plans to seek a vote of confidence in January, which could lead to early elections.