German Chancellor Scholz to Seek Vote of Confidence on December 16

According to reports in the German press, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to request a vote of confidence for his government on December 16, paving the way for a new parliamentary election as early as February.

The vote, anticipated to take place in the Bundestag, will occur well before the initial plans, as a step towards reaching a compromise between Scholz's Social Democrats and the main opposition party, the center-right Christian Democrats.

Previously, Scholz had announced he would seek a vote of confidence on January 15, which could lead to elections being held in March.

In an interview with ARD today, Scholz stated that holding the vote of confidence before Christmas does not pose a "problem" for him and expressed respect for any agreement reached between the Socialists and the Christian Democrats.