German voters fend off far-right in latest state vote, early results suggest
NBCSEP 20 2024
Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union party, on Thursday called for snap elections a day after Chancellor Olaf Scholz sacked the head of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner.Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union party, called for an immediate no-confidence vote on Thursday, a day after Chancellor Olaf Scholz sacked the head of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner.
On Wednesday, Scholz said Lindner had "broken my trust too often" and shown "no willingness to implement the offer for the good of our country." Meanwhile, Lindner accused Scholz of playing down "the economic concerns of the citizens."Amid budget disagreements, Scholz said On Wednesday that Lindner had "broken my trust too often" and shown "no willingness to implement the offer for the good of our country." Meanwhile, Lindner accused Scholz of playing down "the economic concerns of the citizens."
Hours after Lindner's sacking, the FDP ejected from the three-way ruling coalition. Scholz now heads a minority government with the Greens, while Jörg Kukies has been appointed as Germany's new finance minister.Hours after Lindner's sacking, the FDP ejected from the three-way ruling coalition, with Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens still paired up. Jörg Kukies has been appointed as Germany's new finance minister.
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