LATEST: What we know so far about German government collapse

A high-profile sacking, calls for earlier elections, resignations and a new finance minister – here’s what we know so far about the collapse of Germany’s coalition government and the subsequent chaos.

Will there be an earlier election?
People in Germany were scheduled to vote in a new nationwide election on September 28th, 2025.
However, it’s getting more and more likely that a vote will take place much earlier.
Scholz originally announced that he wants to call a vote of confidence in the first week of the Bundestag session in the new year on January 15th in order to be able to pass legislation in December.
This would likely be followed by snap elections in March.

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German political scientist Kai Arzheimer told The Local the country was heading for a snap vote “but the path to early elections is winding, because there are high constitutional hurdles”.
He added; “Scholz said that he will ask parliament for a vote of confidence in January. His intention is to lose that vote. Only then can he ask the president, who then has the authority (but not the obligation) to dissolve parliament within three weeks.
“Elections have to be held no later than 60 days after dissolution, which would bring us to March.”
READ ALSO: What would a CDU election win mean for Germany?

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Could an election happen even earlier?
That’s certainly what some politicians want to see – and even a majority of the public, according to a survey.
The chancellor said he would seek talks with the conservative Christian Democratic Union’s leader Friedrich Merz on Thursday with the offer to “work together constructively on issues that are crucial for our country”.
However, Merz, who is leading in opinion polls, called on Scholz to seek a confidence vote next week – not next year as Scholz has offered. This would speed up the process for a snap election – and it could take place as early as January.
READ ALSO: When are fresh elections likely to be held in Germany?

The leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz speaks to media at the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament in Berlin, on November 7th, 2024. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP)
He added: “We simply cannot afford to have a government without a majority in Germany for several months and then have an election campaign for several more months and then possibly hold coalition negotiations for several weeks.”
READ ALSO: Who is the conservative leader hoping to become Germany’s next chancellor?
Markus Söder, leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, also called for a fresh vote as soon as possible.
“Germany needs new elections and a new government quickly,” he posted on social media site X. There must be no tactical delays.”
“The vote of confidence must be held immediately and not next year. New elections could even take place in January.”

Two-thirds of German residents surveyed in a snap poll on Thursday said new elections should take place in January. Only one-third said they supported Scholz’s plan of holding a confidence vote in January and waiting for new elections until March.
However, on Friday afternoon Scholz said he was ready to discuss the timing of a vote of confidence and the subsequent new election.
On the fringes of the informal EU summit in Budapest, however, he called for an agreement in the Bundestag on which laws should be passed this year.
He said: “I already announced on Wednesday evening that I would like to facilitate new elections in Germany quickly so that there is clarity soon after the FDP leaves the coalition. We should discuss the date as calmly as possible.”

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What other developments do I need to know about?
Things are changing quickly but here are some of the important points to know:
The pro-business Free Democrats said all its ministers will walkout following Lindner’s sacking. “The other FDP ministers in the federal government have declared that they will hand in their resignations,” said senior party lawmaker Christian Dürr.
These include Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing, however, said he would quit his FDP party and stay in government in an apparent rift with party chief Lindner.
“I want to stay true to myself,” Wissing said, explaining why he was not joining other FDP cabinet ministers who have quit Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition.
Wissing will now also take over as Justice Minister while Green Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is now also responsible for education.
After Lindner’s sacking, Jörg Kukies, a member of Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats and a close ally of the chancellor, was named Germany’s new Finance Minister.
On Friday, the Greens’ Robert Habeck was set to become the party’s candidate for chancellor. He was set to announce it later in the day.
And, SPD co-leader Saskia Esken said the SPD wants Olaf Scholz to continue as their chancellor candidate.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, FDP secretary general Bijan Djir-Sarai and FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Duerr arrive before addressing a press conference at the Reichstag building on November 6th. Photo: John Macdougall / AFP
Are we in for a turbulent time?
It appears that way. With an economic slump within Germany and shifting power abroad, it’s a difficult time fraught with uncertainty.
Political expert Kai Arzheimer said: “There is a major imperial land war going on in Europe, and it is highly likely that the incoming Trump administration will withdraw much of American support for Ukraine and Europe.
“Germany and Europe need a stable government in Berlin.”
With additional reporting by AFP

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What’s happening?
On the same day that Donald Trump won the US election, things took a turn for the worse in German politics.
On Wednesday night, the three-way government, nicknamed the ‘traffic light’ coalition and made up of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) – collapsed. It came after Scholz dramatically fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner, declaring there was no longer any “basis of trust” with Lindner.
Although shocking it is hardly a surprise. Coalition leaders have been at loggerheads for months, with Lindner repeatedly calling it an “autumn of decisions”.
One of the main issues was that Lindner had proposed sweeping reforms to jumpstart the troubled German economy that the other two parties opposed.
Crisis talks were taking place on Wednesday night in a last ditch attempt to keep the government afloat.
Will there be an earlier election?
People in Germany were scheduled to vote in a new nationwide election on September 28th, 2025.
However, it’s getting more and more likely that a vote will take place much earlier.
Scholz originally announced that he wants to call a vote of confidence in the first week of the Bundestag session in the new year on January 15th in order to be able to pass legislation in December.
This would likely be followed by snap elections in March.
German political scientist Kai Arzheimer told The Local the country was heading for a snap vote “but the path to early elections is winding, because there are high constitutional hurdles”.
He added; “Scholz said that he will ask parliament for a vote of confidence in January. His intention is to lose that vote. Only then can he ask the president, who then has the authority (but not the obligation) to dissolve parliament within three weeks.
“Elections have to be held no later than 60 days after dissolution, which would bring us to March.”
READ ALSO: What would a CDU election win mean for Germany?
Could an election happen even earlier?
That’s certainly what some politicians want to see – and even a majority of the public, according to a survey.
The chancellor said he would seek talks with the conservative Christian Democratic Union’s leader Friedrich Merz on Thursday with the offer to “work together constructively on issues that are crucial for our country”.
However, Merz, who is leading in opinion polls, called on Scholz to seek a confidence vote next week – not next year as Scholz has offered. This would speed up the process for a snap election – and it could take place as early as January.
READ ALSO: When are fresh elections likely to be held in Germany?

He added: “We simply cannot afford to have a government without a majority in Germany for several months and then have an election campaign for several more months and then possibly hold coalition negotiations for several weeks.”
READ ALSO: Who is the conservative leader hoping to become Germany’s next chancellor?
Markus Söder, leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, also called for a fresh vote as soon as possible.
“Germany needs new elections and a new government quickly,” he posted on social media site X. There must be no tactical delays.”
“The vote of confidence must be held immediately and not next year. New elections could even take place in January.”

Two-thirds of German residents surveyed in a snap poll on Thursday said new elections should take place in January. Only one-third said they supported Scholz’s plan of holding a confidence vote in January and waiting for new elections until March.
However, on Friday afternoon Scholz said he was ready to discuss the timing of a vote of confidence and the subsequent new election.
On the fringes of the informal EU summit in Budapest, however, he called for an agreement in the Bundestag on which laws should be passed this year.
He said: “I already announced on Wednesday evening that I would like to facilitate new elections in Germany quickly so that there is clarity soon after the FDP leaves the coalition. We should discuss the date as calmly as possible.”
What other developments do I need to know about?
Things are changing quickly but here are some of the important points to know:
The pro-business Free Democrats said all its ministers will walkout following Lindner’s sacking. “The other FDP ministers in the federal government have declared that they will hand in their resignations,” said senior party lawmaker Christian Dürr.
These include Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing, however, said he would quit his FDP party and stay in government in an apparent rift with party chief Lindner.
“I want to stay true to myself,” Wissing said, explaining why he was not joining other FDP cabinet ministers who have quit Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition.
Wissing will now also take over as Justice Minister while Green Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is now also responsible for education.
After Lindner’s sacking, Jörg Kukies, a member of Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats and a close ally of the chancellor, was named Germany’s new Finance Minister.
On Friday, the Greens’ Robert Habeck was set to become the party’s candidate for chancellor. He was set to announce it later in the day.
And, SPD co-leader Saskia Esken said the SPD wants Olaf Scholz to continue as their chancellor candidate.

Are we in for a turbulent time?
It appears that way. With an economic slump within Germany and shifting power abroad, it’s a difficult time fraught with uncertainty.
Political expert Kai Arzheimer said: “There is a major imperial land war going on in Europe, and it is highly likely that the incoming Trump administration will withdraw much of American support for Ukraine and Europe.
“Germany and Europe need a stable government in Berlin.”
With additional reporting by AFP

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