Germany Set for Snap Election After Scholz Kick-Starts Process

  • Chancellor will ask President Steinmeier to dissolve Bundestag
  • Scholz dismantled his three-party ruling alliance last month

Olaf Scholz on Dec. 11.

Photographer: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz filed a petition with the lower house of parliament requesting a confidence vote next Monday that will trigger a snap election in late February.

Scholz surrendered his Bundestag majority last month when he sacked Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democrats due to a budget dispute, pulling the plug on his three-party governing coalition.