German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the country's lower house of parliament, paving the way for snap elections on February 23. This decision comes after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition, leading to a need for a new government capable of acting with reliable majorities in parliament.
Steinmeier emphasized the importance of stability in difficult times and stated that early elections were the right path forward for Germany. He highlighted the necessity for problem-solving to be at the core of politics once again.
Addressing concerns about external influence on democracy, Steinmeier called for a fair and transparent election campaign. He warned against covert or open interference, citing recent incidents in other countries and the intensive use of social media platforms for manipulation.
Scholz, who will lead a caretaker government until a new one is formed, faced a confidence vote after the departure of Finance Minister Christian Lindner's Free Democrats, leaving the coalition without a legislative majority.
The election campaigning has begun in earnest, with conservative challenger Friedrich Merz positioning himself as a likely replacement for Scholz. Merz criticized the incumbent government for excessive regulations and hindering growth.
Current polls show the conservatives holding a significant lead over the Social Democrats, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) slightly ahead of Scholz's party. The Greens, a coalition party, are in fourth place.
While mainstream parties have ruled out governing with the AfD, its presence complicates the parliamentary arithmetic, increasing the likelihood of unwieldy coalitions in the future.
