Federal President dissolves German parliament and calls new election
Published: Friday, Dec 27th 2024, 12:20
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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the Bundestag and scheduled a new election for February 23 next year.
In difficult times like these, stability requires a government capable of acting and reliable majorities in parliament, Steinmeier said in Berlin, explaining his decision.
On 16 December, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) tabled a vote of confidence in the Bundestag after the "traffic light" coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP collapsed in November after just three years. As he had intended, Scholz did not receive a majority for his motion. He then asked Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag in order to clear the way for a new election.
According to the German constitution, the Federal President can dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days at the suggestion of the Federal Chancellor if the latter loses the vote of confidence. Article 39 stipulates that a new election must then be held within 60 days. The Bundestag cannot dissolve itself.
©Keystone/SDA
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