FDP Ministers Resign, Threatening Scholz's Coalition Government
In a dramatic turn of events, the German liberal party, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has announced that all of its ministers will resign from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. This decision follows the dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, which has left the coalition without a majority in the Lower House. Christian Dürr, the chairman of the FDP parliamentary group, confirmed that the ministers would submit their resignations to both the Chancellor and the Head of State.
The crisis within the coalition has been escalating since early November, culminating in Scholz's decision to dismiss Lindner. The Chancellor expressed a lack of trust in Lindner, stating, "There is not enough trust for continued cooperation," and accused him of betraying his confidence. The dismissal is expected to precipitate the FDP's exit from the government, effectively ending the coalition and raising the prospect of early parliamentary elections.
Scholz has indicated plans to request a vote of confidence from the deputies in January, potentially leading to his mandate's conclusion and a new election cycle. He noted that if early elections are called, they could occur as early as March 2024, significantly ahead of the originally scheduled date.
Coalition Crisis Deepens Amid Policy Disputes
The tensions between the coalition partners have been exacerbated by disagreements over fiscal policy. Reports suggest that Scholz had urged Lindner to suspend the debt brake, a move that the finance minister rejected, leading to his dismissal. Lindner's proposals, which included an economic overhaul and the termination of the solidarity tax, have been criticized as "neoliberal rhetoric" and incompatible with the coalition's agreed policies, according to SPD MP Nils Schmid.
Lindner's leaked roadmap, which outlined measures contrary to the coalition's objectives, has further fueled the rift. His advocacy for less ambitious climate targets than those set by the European Union has also drawn ire from his government partners. As the situation unfolds, the future of Scholz's government remains uncertain, with the potential for significant political shifts in Germany.
