Germany is expected to hold a snap election in February after Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly agreed a deal with opposition politicians for an early vote.
The recent collapse of Scholz’s coalition made a vote of confidence in the government highly likely, but Scholz had been pushing for it to be held in the new year. Reports now suggest it will be held before Christmas and, as Scholz is expected to lose, it would almost certainly lead to parliament being dissolved within 21 days and an election held within a further 60 days.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian democratic (CDU/CSU) opposition, has led the charge for an earlier vote. The CDU/CSU is comfortably ahead in the polls and has promised to enable key legislation to pass in exchange for an immediate vote.
