Germany's ruling coalition collapses as Scholz plans confidence vote

Germany's ruling coalition has collapsed after Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner. This move may lead to a snap election as Scholz prepares to govern with a minority coalition of his Social Democrats and the Greens. Scholz plans to hold a parliamentary confidence vote on January 15. The coalition's breakdown follows months of disputes over budget policies and economic direction, amid rising support for far-right and far-left parties. The government crisis comes as Germany faces economic challenges, including a stagnant economy and infrastructure issues. Scholz and the Greens advocate for increased government spending, while Lindner's FDP favors spending cuts and less regulation.