Germany Faces Political Turmoil as SPD Questions Scholz's Candidacy

The collapse of the coalition government and economic challenges fuel uncertainty ahead of February's elections.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure from within his Social Democratic Party (SPD) to step aside in favor of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is more popular in polls.
The tripartite coalition of the SPD, Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP) dissolved earlier this month due to disagreements over fiscal policies, particularly the constitutional 'debt brake.'
A vote of confidence for Scholz is scheduled for December 16, which he is expected to lose, paving the way for early elections on February 23, 2025.
Germany is grappling with a recession and rising influence of the far-right, complicating the political landscape and raising questions about future coalition possibilities.
Scholz's recent outreach to Vladimir Putin has drawn criticism but aims to position him as a diplomatic leader, appealing to pacifist sentiments within the SPD.