Upcoming Elections Announced: Loss of Majority by Chancellor Scholz in the Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
In a historic turn of events, Olaf Scholz (SPD) has put the question of confidence to the vote and did not receive a majority, marking the end of the traffic light government. New elections are scheduled for February 23.
The current government, however, remains in place until the new Bundestag is convened, according to Article 39 of the Basic Law. This means that Scholz continues to lead a minority government since the breakup of the traffic light coalition on November 6. The same obligation applies to ministers.
The vote on the question of confidence saw 207 members of parliament vote for Scholz, 394 voted against him, and 116 abstained. This outcome has raised doubts about the ability of politics to find functional answers to the challenges of our time.
Once the new Bundestag is convened at the latest 30 days after its election, its members will elect the Chancellor. Coalition negotiations usually begin immediately after the election results are known, as German governments are often formed by coalition agreements due to the multi-party system.
The period from election day to the swearing-in of a new Chancellor and cabinet can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of coalition talks. For instance, in the most recent government transition noted in 2025, Olaf Scholz remained Chancellor until May 6, with Friedrich Merz taking office thereafter, suggesting a transition period of several months after elections in February.
While there is no fixed statutory timeline, forming a new government in Germany after federal elections around late February can take roughly 2 to 3 months, involving Bundestag procedures and coalition building. This is consistent with recent practice as reflected in the 2025 government change.
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[1] Source: German political timeline, 2025 government change.
- The current political situation in Germany, following the end of the traffic light government, has led to a period of uncertainty, as Olaf Scholz continues to lead a minority government according to Article 39 of the Basic Law, and the new Bundestag is scheduled for convening 30 days after the February 23 elections.
- Within the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, the general-news unfolds as coalition negotiations begin immediately after the election results are known, and the electing of the Chancellor by the new Bundestag is expected to take approximately 2 to 3 months, involving Bundestag procedures and coalition building, as observed in 2025 government change.
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