The vote came after Scholz's coalition government crumbled amid rising tensions and disagreements over budget priorities. Out of 733 lawmakers in the Bundestag, 394 voted against the chancellor, while 207 supported him and 116 abstained, leaving Scholz far short of the 367 votes needed for a majority.
The collapse of the coalition followed Scholz's dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), in November.
Lindner's removal came as the three coalition parties; Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), the FDP, and the Greens, failed to agree on billions of euros in spending cuts for the upcoming fiscal year.
Scholz accused Lindner of 'unjustifiable obstruction' in blocking budget measures that included increased aid to Ukraine. 'Shortsightedness might save money in the short term, but the mortgage on our future is unaffordable,' Scholz said, defending his spending priorities.
In response, Lindner criticized Scholz's handling of Germany's economy. 'Olaf Scholz has consistently refused to prioritize economic recovery for our country,' Lindner stated. Following his dismissal, the FDP announced their decision to withdraw all ministers from Scholz's government.
The Greens, however, chose to remain in the coalition despite expressing disappointment at the deepening political rift. They emphasized Germany's need for stability in light of geopolitical pressures, particularly the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president.
With the elections now confirmed, Scholz has framed the vote as a critical choice for Germany's future. He pledged significant investment in infrastructure while rejecting austerity measures advocated by conservatives.
On the other hand, Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Scholz's main rival, criticized the chancellor for his 'unsustainable' spending plans.
Merz has called for tighter fiscal policies and more military support for Ukraine, including the delivery of German-made Taurus missiles, something Scholz has firmly refused, warning of further escalation with Russia.
As Germany prepares for elections, opinion polls show the conservatives standing in a position. Scholz's SPD trails behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), while the Greens sit in fourth place.
Amid economic uncertainty, growing far-right influence, and political fragmentation, the outcome of the February elections will set the direction for Germany's leadership and its role in Europe in the next years.
IGIHE
