The Social Democratic Chancellor of Germany will gotta dissolve the government after parliament has refused to give him a vote of distrust. It's a sign of an accelerated election behind Oder.
On Monday, Bundestag refused to give the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a vote of confidence. Parliament's decision, in line with the intention of the head of government, opens the way for the early elections in February 2025. The main topics of the run will be the economy and the war in Ukraine.
In the roll-call vote, 349 MEPs rejected the motion for a vote of assurance and 207 supported the Chancellor; 116 abstained. The coalition government of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP held power since December 2021.
Immediately after the vote, Scholz went to Bellevue Palace, the seat of president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with the request to dissolve the Bundestag. The head of state has until January 6 to decide. Steinmeier had already signaled his readiness to end the parliamentary word early. The accelerated elections are scheduled to take place on 23 February, 7 months before the prescribed deadline.
In the debate preceding the vote, Scholz powerfully attacked the fresh coalitionist, the Free Democratic organization (FDP). The Liberals, led by Finance Minister Christian Lindner, “sabotted” the works not only to the government but besides to democracy," he said. As he pointed out, the country needs investment in the economy and the military, and Lindner's opposition to the increase in the budget deficit prevented the essential funds from being raised. Lindner lacks "moral maturity," added the Chancellor.
Lindner's expulsion from the government on 6 November was a direct origin of the collapse of the coalition, which lost most after the FDP left.
Scholz confirmed his position on Ukraine. – Germany provides Ukraine with the largest aid in Europe. I want to keep it that way – He said. “If Putin defeats Ukraine, we besides will be in permanent danger,” he said. You can number on Germany. We say what we do, and we do what we promise – he added.
He besides warned that the Germans would do nothing to endanger their own safety. "Therefore, we will not supply (Ukraine – PAP) maneuvering missiles, which are long-range weapons capable of achieving goals in deep Russia. We will surely not send German soldiers to war. Not as long as I am Chancellor," he declared. As he argued, Germany protects the sovereignty of Ukraine and wants the killing to end.
The leader of the Chadetic opposition Friedrich Merz called the Chancellor's speech "pure impudence". In his opinion, the government has left the country in a "biggest economical crisis since planet War II". The head of the CDU has criticised Scholz repeatedly in the past for cooling relations with Poland. Last week he arrived from Kiev to Warsaw, where he met with Prime Minister Donald Tuski.
Merz stressed that Germany was in a recession for the second year in a row, and accused the Chancellor of indebting the country at the expense of subsequent generations. He besides pointed out that he did not erstwhile say "competitiveness of the economy".
He besides accused Scholz of compromising Germany in the EU and avoiding taking a stand on crucial issues. Criticising the energy policy of the Scholz government, he pointed out that it leads to an increase in energy prices, causing protests in neighbouring countries.
Referring to defence spending, Merz said that his organization wanted Germany to "be able to defend themselves so they wouldn't gotta defend themselves." According to the candidate for Chancellorship, Germany should hand over the Taurus long-range rockets to Ukraine, but training of Ukrainian soldiers serving this equipment should take place in Germany.
The lost vote on the vote of assurance is the only constitutionally compatible way for the Chancellor to lead to accelerated elections. Scholz's number government will stay in office until the fresh parliament is established, which must take place no later than 30 days after the election.
PAP/work. FA
