Coalition Collapse in Germany Scholz Sets Stage for Snap Election

[Social Media]

 

In a significant shakeup, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Wednesday that his three-party ruling coalition had collapsed, setting the stage for a potential snap election within months. Scholz declared he would dismiss Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a move that effectively ousts the fiscally conservative Free Democratic Party (FDP) from the coalition, which also includes Scholz’s own Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Green Party.

 

The decision to fire Lindner stems from irreconcilable disputes within the coalition over budgetary policies and economic reform strategies. Scholz revealed that he would seek a confidence vote on January 15, a pivotal move that could lead to early elections as soon as March if he fails to secure the necessary parliamentary support.

 

The disintegration of the coalition follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the recent American election, a result that has deeply unsettled German political leaders who rely on American defense support and worry about the potential impact of Trump’s tariff policies on Germany’s export-dependent economy. Scholz acknowledged the gravity of the moment in an address to the German public. “Dear fellow citizens, I would have liked to have spared you this difficult decision, especially in times like these, when uncertainty is growing,” he stated, emphasizing that the internal conflicts within the coalition had become insurmountable. 

 

One of the primary sources of discord was the FDP’s insistence on strict fiscal discipline and tax cuts. Lindner, as finance minister, staunchly opposed the SPD and Green Party’s calls for increased social spending and economic stimulus measures aimed at bolstering German industry. Scholz voiced frustration over Lindner’s intransigence, stating, “All too often, Minister Lindner has blocked laws in an inappropriate manner. Too often he has engaged in petty party-political tactics. Too often he has broken my trust.” Scholz further explained that he had requested Lindner’s support in relaxing spending regulations to facilitate more aid for Ukraine, a request Lindner rejected on the grounds that it would “violate my oath of office.”

 

Lindner, for his part, criticized Scholz’s economic policies, accusing him of neglecting the need for economic revitalization. “Olaf Scholz has long failed to recognize the need for a new economic awakening in our country,” Lindner argued in a statement. He went on to assert that Scholz had consistently downplayed the economic concerns of German citizens, suggesting that the government’s current direction was inadequate for addressing the nation’s economic challenges.

 

As Germany heads toward a likely snap election, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) appears poised to take advantage of the current political disarray. Polls show the CDU enjoying a strong lead, positioning it as a probable successor should Scholz’s coalition formally collapse. Over recent years, the CDU has shifted further to the right on migration issues while advocating for stronger military support for Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in both domestic and foreign policy should they assume power.

 

The collapse of Scholz’s coalition and the upcoming confidence vote mark a critical juncture for Germany, as political uncertainty grows against the backdrop of global instability.

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-11-08

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Scholz further explained that he had requested Lindner’s support in relaxing spending regulations to facilitate more aid for Ukraine, a request Lindner rejected on the grounds that it would “violate my oath of office.”

Seems Scholz is prepared to bankrupt Germany to support death in Ukraine. Just as well there is a grown up in the room.

[thaibeachlovers]

Scholz looks like Biden, a confused old man out of touch with reality.

[beautifulthailand99]

If Germany stalls then the banker of EU debt stalls with it. We are entering the populist era of fix problems at home not fund foreign wars and not before time.

[Bkk Brian]

12 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

If Germany stalls then the banker of EU debt stalls with it. We are entering the populist era of fix problems at home not fund foreign wars and not before time.

The likelihood is that CDU will take advantage. You now better check on their stance on Ukraine. 

 

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) appears poised to take advantage of the current political disarray. Polls show the CDU enjoying a strong lead, positioning it as a probable successor should Scholz’s coalition formally collapse.

Germany's Christian Democratic Union deplores the European Union's constant hesitation in providing aid to Ukraine

 

[JonnyF]

The trend is clear. People are sick of these socialist governments destroying their countries by focusing on everything except their own people. 

 

Fresh off the back of the Trump win and subsequent relief/feel good factor, I can see the CDU doing very well if this goes ahead. 

[John Drake]

I lived and worked in West Germany for most of the 1980s. I haven't been back since then. I remember a country where there were three minutes to change trains--and you could count on it every time--where Lufthansa wrote me a three page letter, single-spaced, apologizing for the repeated delays in flying from Bremen to London. I remember being able to rely on the bus coming to its stop right outside my house and only being late two or three times in the five years I lived there. It was safe to walk through the forests. The Schuetzenverein held a parade down my street and a carnival at the end of it--no drunks, no assaults, just happy people. I remember entering a cheese shop that was entirely empty but still needing to take a number before I was served. Clean, efficient, productive Germany. My old friends still living there tell me those days are long gone, now. People like Angela and Olaf had a lot to do with it.

[RayC]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Seems Scholz is prepared to bankrupt Germany to support death in Ukraine. Just as well there is a grown up in the room.

 

And you're still supporting death in Ukraine with your pro-Russian propaganda.

[RayC]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The trend is clear. People are sick of these socialist governments destroying their countries by focusing on everything except their own people. 

 

Fresh off the back of the Trump win and subsequent relief/feel good factor, I can see the CDU doing very well if this goes ahead. 

 

That would probably be a boost for the EU as the CDU is von der Leyden's party. So not all bad then.

[Gweiloman]

1 hour ago, RayC said:

 

And you're still supporting death in Ukraine with your pro-Russian propaganda.

I think the ones supporting death in Ukraine are those that state publicly that Ukraine should fight to the last Ukrainian. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who would win a war between Russia and Ukraine.

[RayC]

3 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I think the ones supporting death in Ukraine are those that state publicly that Ukraine should fight to the last Ukrainian. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who would win a war between Russia and Ukraine.

 

To state the blindingly obvious, if Russia hadn't invaded sovereign Ukrainian territory then there would be no need to even discuss Ukraine fighting to the last man.

 

It doesn't take a genius to figure out the threat posed to Europe by Putin's actions.

[johng]

14 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Seems Scholz is prepared to bankrupt Germany to support death in Ukraine.

And don't mention who blew up the pipeline  and illegal sanctions leading to massive increase in energy costs and devastation  to the economy that would be Russian propaganda  🤣

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, johng said:

And don't mention who blew up the pipeline  and illegal sanctions leading to massive increase in energy costs and devastation  to the economy that would be Russian propaganda  🤣

I'm sure there's a topic for that somewhere. Certain this is not it..............

[johng]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

I'm sure there's a topic for that somewhere. Certain this is not it..............

The topic is Germany's collapse  I think high energy costs have a big part in that.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, johng said:

The topic is Germany's collapse  I think high energy costs have a big part in that.

You are referring to who destroyed the pipeline that was not flowing anyway, there are topics on that and you know it. 

[beautifulthailand99]

14 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

The likelihood is that CDU will take advantage. You now better check on their stance on Ukraine. 

 

Germany's Christian Democratic Union deplores the European Union's constant hesitation in providing aid to Ukraine

 

https://archive.ph/pR3Jq

 

Fine word butter no parsnips and butter before guns will be the German mantra come the next election, Goering will be turning in his grave.

 

In the words of one Ukrainian general, the country’s defences are “crumbling” in the face of Russian advances. Germany has become Europe’s largest provider of military aid to Kyiv, just ahead of Britain, but is set to cut spending in 2025, hoping that Ukraine can instead largely fund itself out of loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.

While the political turmoil is viewed as unlikely to affect current plans, it is likely to halt any potential increase in support at a time when Ukraine needs more resources to shore up its front lines. With Britain’s armoury looking threadbare, our own ability to step into this gap is questionable.

 

 

 Ambrose Evans-Pritchard - The Trump restoration is an unmitigated disaster for Germany
Tariffs and Ukraine’s surrender would be ruinous for Europe’s former economic powerhouse

 

The splash across Germany’s venerable newspaper Die Zeit was a single word in English, distilled to sum up what has just happened to Europe, Nato, the world trading system, and above all Germany: “F--k”.
“Looking away doesn’t help, fear doesn’t help, and in the end all that’s left is feeble self-soothing,” it said, with a nod to Heinz Kohut’s Self Psychology for a Fractured World.

 

https://archive.ph/xBaQJ#selection-2415.0-2439.95

 

Edited 1 hour ago by beautifulthailand99

[Bkk Brian]

8 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

https://archive.ph/pR3Jq

 

Fine word butter no parsnips and butter before guns will be the German mantra come the next election, Goering will be turning in his grave.

 

In the words of one Ukrainian general, the country’s defences are “crumbling” in the face of Russian advances. Germany has become Europe’s largest provider of military aid to Kyiv, just ahead of Britain, but is set to cut spending in 2025, hoping that Ukraine can instead largely fund itself out of loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.

While the political turmoil is viewed as unlikely to affect current plans, it is likely to halt any potential increase in support at a time when Ukraine needs more resources to shore up its front lines. With Britain’s armoury looking threadbare, our own ability to step into this gap is questionable.

say that again?

 

German aid for Ukraine in 2025 safe despite coalition collapse, Reuters reports

https://kyivindependent.com/german-aid-for-ukraine-in-2025-safe-despite-coallition-collapse-reuters-reports/

[beautifulthailand99]

3 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

say that again?

 

German aid for Ukraine in 2025 safe despite coalition collapse, Reuters reports

https://kyivindependent.com/german-aid-for-ukraine-in-2025-safe-despite-coallition-collapse-reuters-reports/

Ah yes jam tommorow keeping the spreads analogy when nine out of every ten bucks’ worth of US arms promised this year haven’t shown up.My wife wisely beleives that money is only real when it is in her hand. Words are cheap.

 

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/41431

[Gweiloman]

16 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

To state the blindingly obvious, if Russia hadn't invaded sovereign Ukrainian territory then there would be no need to even discuss Ukraine fighting to the last man.

 

It doesn't take a genius to figure out the threat posed to Europe by Putin's actions.

Yes, it is blindingly obvious, as you said. However, you need to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Why did Russia start this SMO? I don’t believe that it’s because they want to have more territory. After all, have you seen a map recently? Are you aware how big a country Russia is in terms of land mass? 
 

I have listened to real experts, professors at highly acclaimed western and eastern universities, who have explained how and why NATO’s expansion eastwards is a security threat to Russia and in spite of Russia’s warnings, they (NATO) ignore it and continue to do so. This, in their (the experts) opinion is why Russia is compelled to act. I find their reasons compelling and natural. We see this playing out in Asia as well but fortunately, the Chinese, with their thousands of years of civilisation, will achieve a better result.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, beautifulthailand99 said:

Ah yes jam tommorow keeping the spreads analogy when nine out of every ten bucks’ worth of US arms promised this year haven’t shown up.My wife wisely beleives that money is only real when it is in her hand. Words are cheap.

 

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/41431

This is about Germany not the US. 

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, RayC said:

 

That would probably be a boost for the EU as the CDU is von der Leyden's party. So not all bad then.

 

 

Of course.

 

Good to remind everyone the "selected" leader of the EU is politically neutral. 😄