Germany’s Scholz Under Rising Pressure to Hold January Election

  • Social Democrat chancellor wants ballot to be held in March
  • Ruling coalition collapsed and lost parliamentary majority
Olaf Scholz in Budapest on Nov. 8.

Photographer: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/AP Photo

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is coming under mounting pressure to agree to an early election in January, with a new poll showing two-thirds of voters want a national ballot as soon as possible and business groups calling for an end to political turmoil.

The survey for public broadcaster ARD gives fresh ammunition to center-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who accused Scholz of seeking to delay the election until March purely for party political advantage.