Scholz suggested that the German president dissolve the Bundestag after the vote of no confidence

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed to the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag in connection with the expression of no confidence in the government. This was reported on December 16 by N-TV channel with reference to the data of DPA agency.

Scholz voiced his proposal in the presidential palace Bellevue, where he went immediately after the vote of deputies.

According to the procedure, Steinmeier must decide on the dissolution of the Bundestag within 21 days. Within 60 days after that, new elections will have to be held.

The Bundestag revoked the confidence of the Scholz government earlier in the day. A total of 717 ballots were cast. 207 deputies voted in favor, 394 against and 116 abstained. A decision of confidence in the chancellor required at least 367 votes. Scholz sent a corresponding request on December 11.

On plans to raise in the Bundestag the question of a vote of confidence in the government Scholz announced in early November. Steinmeier then endorsed February 23, 2025 as a possible date for early parliamentary elections. Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck became the Greens' candidate for the post of German Chancellor, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) leadership unanimously nominated Scholz.

According to German political scientist Eugenia Pimenova, the most likely candidate to replace Scholz is the head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, who was nominated as a candidate for chancellor back in September.