Scholz addresses EU leaders in Budapest after coalition collapse in Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended an EU meeting in Budapest following the collapse of his coalition government. He focused on foreign issues, particularly the implications of Donald Trump's election win, while facing pressure for an early confidence vote at home. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz called for a quicker vote of confidence than Scholz's proposed January date. He criticized Scholz for not addressing the coalition's disintegration and emphasized the need for Germany to strengthen its security in light of the new U.S. administration. The coalition, consisting of Scholz's Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats, fell apart after Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Scholz plans to govern with a minority government while relying on opposition support until a potential confidence vote in January.