DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
German news & articles
Scholz says no-confidence vote possible before Christmas
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Scholz says no-confidence vote possible before Christmas

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

June 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in GermanyJune 2025: 8 changes affecting expats in Germany
Germany's plan for more flexible working hours: What you need to knowGermany's plan for more flexible working hours: What you need to know
What does the new UK-EU deal mean for internationals in Germany?What does the new UK-EU deal mean for internationals in Germany?
Buying cannabis in Germany: What are the rules? Buying cannabis in Germany: What are the rules?
May 2025: 7 changes affecting expats in GermanyMay 2025: 7 changes affecting expats in Germany
A complete guide to the German federal election 2025A complete guide to the German federal election 2025
Germany’s new chancellor-elect: Who is Friedrich Merz?Germany’s new chancellor-elect: Who is Friedrich Merz?
How do German politicians want to tackle the rental crisis?How do German politicians want to tackle the rental crisis?
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Nov 12, 2024
Olivia Logan

Editor at IamExpat Media

Editor for Germany at IamExpat Media. Olivia first came to Germany in 2013 to work as an Au Pair. Since studying English Literature and German in Scotland, Freiburg and Berlin she has worked as a features journalist and news editor.Read more

Update: A no-confidence vote has now been announced for December 16 in Germany, with a federal election to follow on February 23, 2025.

Following the collapse of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Free Democrat Party (FDP) and Green Party traffic-light coalition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said he would be happy to face a no-confidence vote before Christmas.

Scholz could face a no-confidence vote before January 15

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has said that he is open to facing a no-confidence vote before Christmas, to let MPs decide whether he should continue as chancellor or if a snap federal election (Bundestagswahl) should be held.

"It is no problem for me at all to call a vote of confidence before Christmas if everyone agrees," the chancellor said to ARD host Caren Miosga, “I am not glued to my post”. 

After Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) for “betraying our trust too many times”, FDP members followed Lindner out of the Bundestag doors and the coalition collapsed on November 5. Left to run a minority government, Scholz announced that he would hold a no-confidence vote on January 15, 2025.

The chancellor said that in the meantime he would set about pushing several new laws through the Bundestag, such as obligations to check on asylum seekers’ identity papers upon their arrival in Germany and stabilising the statutory pension system. The chancellor added that he would enter discussions on possible cooperation with the opposing Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

But criticism came from the CDU almost immediately, with leader Friedrich Merz arguing that the January date was too late. The polls show the CDU as the favourite for Germany’s next federal election, while Scholz is widely expected to lose the no-confidence vote.

What happens if Scholz wins the no-confidence vote, what happens if he loses?

When a final date for the vote is announced, MPs will cast ballots on whether they have confidence in Scholz and his government. A vote on this question can be held in tandem with a vote on a new piece of legislation, but it doesn’t have to be.

If the majority of MPs vote in favour of Scholz’s minority government, he can continue as chancellor. If the more likely outcome occurs and Scholz loses the vote, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeir will dissolve parliament within 21 days of the result and the date for a federal election will be set.

When Scholz originally announced the no-confidence vote for January 15, 2025, March 9 was floated as a possible federal election date. However, according to Article 39 of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), a new election must be held within 60 days of a failed no-confidence vote. This means that if Scholz agrees to a no-confidence vote before Christmas and fails to garner a majority, Germany would likely have a federal election in January or early February 2025.

Thumb image credit: Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com

By Olivia Logan