Scholz defeated in historic confidence vote in move to force new German elections
The Guardian|December 17, 2024
Olaf Scholz lost a historic vote of confidence yesterday in the German parliament, paving the way for early national elections after the collapse of his government.
Kate Connolly
Scholz defeated in historic confidence vote in move to force new German elections

The German chancellor had called the vote to deliberately lose it, urging the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, to declare its lack of confidence in him so that the first formal step could be taken towards triggering new elections.

Scholz will now ask the president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to dissolve parliament and to formally call new elections, which have to take place within 60 days and have been pencilled in for 23 February.

The embattled chancellor required 367 votes of no confidence to succeed in his aim and in the end 394 MPs obliged him. There were 207 yes votes, and 116 abstentions.

"My goal is to bring the federal election forward," Scholz had told a packed chamber. "This is about having trust in our country and not putting our future at risk."

He said his aim was to shore up confidence in the future of the country, insisting: "Germany's best days lie ahead of us."

Scholz's three-way "traffic light" coalition collapsed in November after the pro-business Free Democratic party (FDP) quit in protest over the chancellor's sacking of the finance minister, Christian Lindner, after deep disagreements around debt management.

Esta historia es de la edición December 17, 2024 de The Guardian.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 17, 2024 de The Guardian.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE GUARDIANVer todo
The Guardian

Real Madrid take aim at Uefa in bid to revive Super League

Real Madrid have spelled out their commitment to a restructuring of the Champions League in which the clubs not Uefa are in control - essentially a European Super League 2.0.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
United's big reset
The Guardian

United's big reset

Rashford faces cut-price exit as part of club's cultural reboot

time-read
1 min  |
December 17, 2024
England get horror draw with France, Netherlands and Wales
The Guardian

England get horror draw with France, Netherlands and Wales

England, the holders, have been drawn in a group with France, the Netherlands and their neighbours Wales for the 2025 Women's European Championship in Switzerland.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
The Guardian

Maguire in 'really positive' contract talks with United

Harry Maguire is discussing a new contract with Manchester United that would commit him to at least a seventh and eighth season at the club.

time-read
1 min  |
December 17, 2024
Unal's fabulous free-kick earns Bournemouth a point
The Guardian

Unal's fabulous free-kick earns Bournemouth a point

Bournemouth simply do not know when they are beaten. The substitute Enes Unal powered an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner, seconds after West Ham snatched an unlikely lead courtesy of a contentious penalty.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
'I'm at a turning point - now it's about me playing to see how far I can go'
The Guardian

'I'm at a turning point - now it's about me playing to see how far I can go'

Emma Raducanu was hit by injuries but now feels she has the setup to be able to enjoy life both on and off the court

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
Filer brings the thunder after lightning halts Proteas
The Guardian

Filer brings the thunder after lightning halts Proteas

England will go into day three of the Bloemfontein Test in a commanding position, after bowling South Africa out for 281 and increasing their lead to 145 by stumps.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
Stokes' latest injury scare adds to England's bad day
The Guardian

Stokes' latest injury scare adds to England's bad day

On a day in Hamilton that was already foreboding by way of leaden skies, England's troubles deepened well beyond their bleak position at stumps.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
Fury vows to focus on Usyk and cut back showboating
The Guardian

Fury vows to focus on Usyk and cut back showboating

When I look in the mirror I don't see a quitter,\" Tyson Fury says as, having suffered the first defeat of his professional career in a dramatic world heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk in May, he is about to step back into the fire of their rematch this Saturday night in Riyadh. \"I see a man who would do anything to keep going. If I get knocked down nine times, I'll get up 10. If I didn't want to do that, I wouldn't be a boxer, I'd be doing something else, like playing darts. But this is my job.\"

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 17, 2024
The Guardian

Athletics has funding cut by £1.75m for LA Games buildup

UK Sport has denied putting UK Athletics on the \"naughty step\" after slashing its funding for the Los Angeles Olympic cycle by nearly £1.75m.

time-read
1 min  |
December 17, 2024