Scholz seeks confidence vote on December 16 as early election looms in Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to request a vote of confidence on December 16, moving the timeline up from January 15. This change follows the collapse of his three-party coalition government last week. The earlier vote aims to facilitate a compromise with the opposition Christian Democrats. Scholz's government now relies on the Greens for support and seeks bipartisan cooperation to address a budget gap. The exact date for a potential new election will be determined by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with possibilities of February 16 or 23. If the confidence vote fails, Steinmeier could dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days.