German president dissolves Parliament, sets elections for Feb 23
27/12/2024
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved Parliament and set an election date for Feb. 23, seven months ahead of the original plan. - AP Photo
BERLIN: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved Parliament and set an election date for Feb. 23, seven months ahead of the original plan, German news agency dpa reported.
Steinmeier's decision on Friday is expected following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition in November and the failure of a confidence vote against his government on Dec 16.
Parliamentary leaders of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU) have agreed on a date for the February election. Article 39 of the German Basic Law, or constitution, stipulates that new elections must be held within 60 days of the vote of confidence.
Scholz faces a tough challenge to be re-elected. In the latest opinion polls, the CDU leads the SPD by an advantage of around 10 points.
Steinmeier on Friday stressed that political stability is a valuable asset in Germany, describing the dissolution of the Bundestag and early elections as exceptions to the rule.
"Especially in difficult times like now, stability requires a government that is able to act and a credible majority in Parliament," the president said in explaining his decision.
