German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has cleared the way for new elections on February 23, 2025. The head of state announced on Friday that the Bundestag would be dissolved following the loss of confidence in Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) of the Bundestag.
“Political stability in Germany is rightly a high good” Steinmeier said. “It has served and protected us.” The dissolution of the Bundestag before the end of the legislative period and the holding of early elections are exceptional cases in Germany: “But just in difficult times like these, it needs a governable government and reliable majorities in parliament for stability” Steinmeier said.
Scholz had asked the president for the dissolution of the parliament immediately after the vote of no confidence on December 16. Steinmeier had then held talks with the chairmen of the factions and groups in the Bundestag on the further course of action – but the decision for new elections on February 23 had reportedly never been seriously in question. Steinmeier said during the talks that no other majorities had been recognizable. “Therefore, I am convinced that for the good of our country, new elections are the right way now” the president said, also warning against external influence in the election campaign.
Steinmeier had, after the vote of no confidence, 21 days under the Basic Law for the decision on the dissolution of the parliament – after his current decision, a period of 60 days will run, within which new elections must take place. The Bundestag remains capable of decision-making despite the “dissolution” – its term of office ends under the Basic Law only with the convening of a new Bundestag. The federal government also remains in regular office and not only in a caretaker capacity.