German president to dissolve parliament, order early general election on Feb. 23 next year

Amid the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has ordered the dissolution of parliament and early parliamentary elections on Feb. 23 next year.

President Steinmeier made the announcement today (27th), saying that after discussions with party representatives, the current parliament has concluded that an agreement cannot be reached regarding the new government.

He added that he believes the right direction is to hold a new election in the national interest.

On the 16th, the German Federal Parliament voted down the confidence proposal directly proposed by Chancellor Scholz, and major political parties agreed that an early general election should be held on February 23 next year, seven months earlier than scheduled.

Under the German constitution, it is the president's authority to dissolve parliament and decide whether to hold elections, and if parliament is dissolved, elections must be held within 60 days.

Earlier last month, the coalition collapsed when Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a Liberal Democrat who was at odds with the mainstream in the coalition over economic policy, was fired and the Lib Dems left the coalition.