German government collapses as Chancellor Scholz loses confidence vote
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote, triggering an early election — set for February 23. It’s only the sixth time in German history that such a vote has occurred. The vote follows tensions within his coalition government, particularly over budgetary disagreements. While Scholz remains as chancellor candidate for the SPD, polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz, from the CDU, could replace him.