Germany's Scholz seeks confidence vote as coalition crisis deepens

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will seek a vote of confidence on December 11, following the collapse of his three-party coalition government. If he loses, it will lead to early elections on February 23, 2024. The coalition, formed in 2021, struggled with economic challenges and internal disputes. Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens wanted increased state investment, while the Free Democrats opposed tax hikes and welfare cuts. Candidates for the upcoming election include Scholz, who faces internal party opposition, and Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democrats, who leads in polls. The far-right Alternative for Germany is also expected to gain support, reflecting growing discontent with the current government.