Islamabad: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has confirmed Germany will head to an early election on February 23.
The German leader Friday announced the dissolution of the country’s lower house of parliament, paving the way for an early election at a time when the German economy – the largest in Europe – grapples with many crises stemming from conflicts around the world.
“I have decided to dissolve the 20th German Bundestag to fix the date for an early election for February 23,” said President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, adding that “political stability in Germany is a precious asset.”
According to AFP, Steinmeier’s decision comes after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence in the legislature on December 16.
I have decided to dissolve the 20th German Bundestag to fix the date for an early election for February 23.” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
France 24 reported that the lawmakers from Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the conservative opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) had previously agreed on the date.
“Rise of the far-right”
Recent opinion polls have the CDU, headed by Friedrich Merz, holding a lead of around 10 points over the centre-left SPD suggesting a tough bid for reelection for Scholz, AFP reported.
According to German media outlets, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been polling strongly and has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for chancellor.
But other parties have so far refused to work with the AfD, meaning Weidel has little to no chance of taking the job.
“No place for hate”
“Hatred and violence must have no place in this election campaign, nor denigration or intimidation… all this is poison for democracy,” Steinmeier said.
The president also told political parties and voters of the challenges the next government will face given the “economically unstable situation… the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine” and the ongoing debates over immigration and climate change.
