Germany’s Coalition Collapses, Paving Way for New Elections

Chancellor Olaf Scholz sacked his finance minister, Christian Lindner, over budget disputes, leaving the government without a legislative majority.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the chancellory in Berlin on Nov. 4, 2024. Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo

Germany’s ruling coalition has collapsed, paving the way for new elections.

After sacking Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) on Nov. 7, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to head a minority government with his Social Democrats and the Greens, the second-largest party.