Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-designate of Germany, has failed to secure the majority needed in the Bundestag to confirm his position. Despite leading a coalition with a parliamentary majority, Merz only gained 310 votes, six short of the 316 required in the 630-seat chamber.
This unexpected setback came just two and a half months after Merz&rsquo;s Christian Democrats won the federal election. The result is being described as unprecedented in modern German politics, with no candidate having failed in such a way since 1949.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-far-right-party-afd-labelled-as-extremist-organisation-by-spy-agency-bfv-9025940" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Germany&rsquo;s far-right party AfD labelled as &lsquo;extremist organisation&rsquo; by spy agency BfV, ban threat looms</a>
<h2>Coalition tensions come to the surface</h2>
The centre-right CDU formed a coalition with the centre-left SPD, but it appears that 18 MPs from within the alliance did not support Merz in the secret ballot. Bundestag President Julia Kl&ouml;ckner later confirmed that nine MPs were absent, three abstained, and one vote was declared invalid.
Although some SPD members have expressed dissatisfaction with the coalition deal finalised just a day earlier, party leadership insists they remain committed to the agreement.
Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/germanys-afd-sues-intelligence-agency-over-extremist-label-9038016" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Germany's AfD sues intelligence agency over 'extremist' label</a>
<h2>What happens next?</h2>
According to Germany&rsquo;s constitution, the Bundestag now has 14 days to elect a chancellor with an absolute majority. If no one secures that threshold, a simple majority can be used.
Kl&ouml;ckner was reported to be preparing for another vote as soon as Wednesday. However, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann pushed for a faster resolution, saying, "Europe needs a strong Germany, that's why we can't wait for days."
There is currently confusion in Berlin over the timing of the next vote. No firm schedule has been announced.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germanys-far-right-party-afd-labelled-as-extremist-organisation-by-spy-agency-bfv-9025940" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Germany&rsquo;s far-right party AfD labelled as &lsquo;extremist organisation&rsquo; by spy agency BfV, ban threat looms</a>
<h2>Opposition and far-right reaction</h2>
Not surprisingly, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came second in February&rsquo;s election with 20.8% of the vote, seized on the result to attack the coalition.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel posted on X, &ldquo;The vote showed the weak foundation the small coalition has been built on between the [conservatives] and SPD, which was rejected by voters.&rdquo; The party is now calling for new elections.
<h2>An awkward moment in German politics</h2>
The failed vote has added an unexpected twist to the usually well-planned government handover. Outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz was honoured the night before with a traditional Grand Tattoo by the armed forces, as preparations for the transition were underway.
Merz, 69, had been expected to win the vote and then be sworn in by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday afternoon. Former chancellor Angela Merkel even returned to parliament to watch the vote unfold.

World: Despite leading a coalition with a parliamentary majority, Merz only gained 310 votes, six short of the 316 required in the 630-seat chamber.

Friedrich Merz, the chancellor-designate of Germany, has failed to secure the majority needed in the Bundestag to confirm his position. Despite leading a coalition with a parliamentary majority, Merz only gained 310 votes, six short of the 316 required in the 630-seat chamber. This unexpected setback came just two and a half months after Merz’s Christian Democrats won the federal election. The result is being described as unprecedented in modern German politics, with no candidate having failed in such a way since 1949. Also read: Germany’s far-right party AfD labelled as ‘extremist organisation’ by spy agency BfV, ban threat looms Coalition tensions come to the surface The centre-right CDU formed a coalition with the centre-left SPD, but it appears that 18 MPs from within the alliance did not support Merz in the secret ballot. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner later confirmed that nine MPs were absent, three abstained, and one vote was declared invalid. Although some SPD members have expressed dissatisfaction with the coalition deal finalised just a day earlier, party leadership insists they remain committed to the agreement. Watch: Germany's AfD sues intelligence agency over 'extremist' label What happens next? According to Germany’s constitution, the Bundestag now has 14 days to elect a chancellor with an absolute majority. If no one secures that threshold, a simple majority can be used. Klöckner was reported to be preparing for another vote as soon as Wednesday. However, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann pushed for a faster resolution, saying, "Europe needs a strong Germany, that's why we can't wait for days." There is currently confusion in Berlin over the timing of the next vote. No firm schedule has been announced. Also read: Germany’s far-right party AfD labelled as ‘extremist organisation’ by spy agency BfV, ban threat looms Opposition and far-right reaction Not surprisingly, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came second in February’s election with 20.8% of the vote, seized on the result to attack the coalition. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel posted on X, “The vote showed the weak foundation the small coalition has been built on between the [conservatives] and SPD, which was rejected by voters.” The party is now calling for new elections. An awkward moment in German politics The failed vote has added an unexpected twist to the usually well-planned government handover. Outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz was honoured the night before with a traditional Grand Tattoo by the armed forces, as preparations for the transition were underway. Merz, 69, had been expected to win the vote and then be sworn in by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday afternoon. Former chancellor Angela Merkel even returned to parliament to watch the vote unfold.

German coalition in crisis as Merz humiliated in first vote for chancellor, second vote expected

The German government has accused Elon Musk of trying to influence the country&rsquo;s elections through repeated public endorsements of the far-right party <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/germany-afd-organises-march-in-magdeburg-site-of-deadly-christmas-market-attack-786617" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Alternative for Germany (AfD)</a>.
Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said, &ldquo;It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election.&rdquo; Her comments came in response to Musk&rsquo;s posts on X, formerly Twitter, and an opinion piece published over the weekend in support of the AfD.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-endorses-german-far-right-afd-in-op-ed-opinion-editor-resigns-in-protest-8574191">Elon Musk endorses German far right AfD in op-ed; opinion editor resigns in protest</a>
While acknowledging Musk&rsquo;s right to put out his views, Hoffmann added, &ldquo;He is free to express his opinion. One does not have to share this opinion. After all, freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense."
Hoffmann called Musk&rsquo;s endorsement &ldquo;a recommendation to vote for a party that is being monitored (by domestic intelligence) on suspicion of being right-wing extremist and which has already been recognised as partly right-wing extremist.&rdquo;
<h2>&nbsp;AfD is Germany&rsquo;s 'last hope': Musk</h2>
Musk, who will&nbsp;serve as an adviser to Donald Trump&rsquo;s upcoming administration, called the AfD Germany&rsquo;s &ldquo;last hope&rdquo; in a guest opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. After his opinion piece was published, the paper&rsquo;s commentary editor resigned in protest.
In the article, written in German, Musk defended the AfD, saying, &ldquo;The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party&rsquo;s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-problematic-post-on-german-politics-sparks-accusations-785767">Elon Musk's 'problematic' post on German politics sparks accusations of interference</a>
The controversy comes as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-heads-for-snap-elections-on-february-23-after-chancellor-olaf-scholzs-party-coalition-collapsed-775589">Germany prepares for parliamentary elections</a> on 23 February, following the collapse of the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
This is not the first time Musk has faced criticism from Germany over his political comments. He previously wrote on X that &ldquo;only the AfD can save Germany,&rdquo; drawing widespread criticism. At the time, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk&rsquo;s actions &ldquo;undignified and problematic,&rdquo; adding that they might equate election interference.
Last month, Musk even called Chancellor Olaf Scholz a &ldquo;fool&rdquo; on X. He defended his involvement in German politics by citing his &ldquo;significant investments&rdquo; in the country.
The AfD is currently polling in second place in the opinion polls. A strong performance by the AfD in the election could complicate coalition-building, as mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD at either state or federal levels.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: German government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said, “It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election.” 

The German government has accused Elon Musk of trying to influence the country’s elections through repeated public endorsements of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said, “It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election.” Her comments came in response to Musk’s posts on X, formerly Twitter, and an opinion piece published over the weekend in support of the AfD. Also read: Elon Musk endorses German far right AfD in op-ed; opinion editor resigns in protest While acknowledging Musk’s right to put out his views, Hoffmann added, “He is free to express his opinion. One does not have to share this opinion. After all, freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense." Hoffmann called Musk’s endorsement “a recommendation to vote for a party that is being monitored (by domestic intelligence) on suspicion of being right-wing extremist and which has already been recognised as partly right-wing extremist.” AfD is Germany’s 'last hope': Musk Musk, who will serve as an adviser to Donald Trump’s upcoming administration, called the AfD Germany’s “last hope” in a guest opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. After his opinion piece was published, the paper’s commentary editor resigned in protest. In the article, written in German, Musk defended the AfD, saying, “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Also read: Elon Musk's 'problematic' post on German politics sparks accusations of interference The controversy comes as Germany prepares for parliamentary elections on 23 February, following the collapse of the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This is not the first time Musk has faced criticism from Germany over his political comments. He previously wrote on X that “only the AfD can save Germany,” drawing widespread criticism. At the time, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk’s actions “undignified and problematic,” adding that they might equate election interference. Last month, Musk even called Chancellor Olaf Scholz a “fool” on X. He defended his involvement in German politics by citing his “significant investments” in the country. The AfD is currently polling in second place in the opinion polls. A strong performance by the AfD in the election could complicate coalition-building, as mainstream parties have ruled out working with the AfD at either state or federal levels. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany accuses Elon Musk of 'trying to influence' elections with AfD endorsements

Elon Musk, a close adviser to Donald Trump, showed support for Germany&rsquo;s Alternative for Germany (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-warned-germany-about-the-suspect-in-christmas-market-attack-report-785849">AfD</a>) party in an opinion piece published online on Saturday (December 28), by the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.&nbsp;
The piece, which expanded on comments Musk had made earlier on social media, led to the resignation of the paper&rsquo;s commentary editor, Eva Marie Kogel.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-maga-laura-loomer-h-1b-indian-immigration-sriram-krishnan-us-news-8573773">&lsquo;I will go to war,&rsquo; Musk turns on MAGA over H-1B; far-right Loomer claims her X account &lsquo;censored&rsquo;</a>
Last week, Musk posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that "only the AfD can save Germany." His comments were widely criticised, with the German government dismissing them as lacking sound political judgment. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk&rsquo;s actions &ldquo;undignified and problematic,&rdquo; suggesting they could amount to election interference.
In the opinion piece, written in German, Musk wrote, "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!"
After the article was published, Kogel announced her resignation via a post on X. &ldquo;I always enjoyed heading the opinion department at Welt and Wams. Today a text by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. Yesterday I submitted my resignation after printing,&rdquo; she wrote, alongside a link to Musk&rsquo;s article.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-problematic-post-on-german-politics-sparks-accusations-785767">Elon Musk's 'problematic' post on German politics sparks accusations of interference</a>
<h2>'Musk&rsquo;s diagnosis is correct, but...'</h2>
Responding to the controversy, Jan Philipp Burgard, the incoming editor-in-chief of Welt, and Ulf Poschardt, who is set to take over as publisher on 1 January, told Reuters, &ldquo;Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression. This includes dealing with polarising positions and classifying them journalistically.&rdquo; 
In the same edition of the newspaper, Burgard published a response to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-efficiency-co-chief-elon-musk-calls-fed-overstaffed-786640">Elon Musk&rsquo;s</a> piece. &ldquo;Musk&rsquo;s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally false,&rdquo; he wrote.
The AfD, known for its strong anti-immigration stance, has been classified as a suspected extremist organisation by Germany&rsquo;s domestic intelligence agency since 2021. The party has called for mass deportations from Germany and championed for anti-immigration policies, like Donald Trump during his presidency in the United States.
This move comes ahead of Germany&rsquo;s federal election on 23 February. While the AfD is ranking second on polls, mainstream centrist parties have vowed not to collaborate with them at the national level. 
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Musk wrote, "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka!"

Elon Musk, a close adviser to Donald Trump, showed support for Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in an opinion piece published online on Saturday (December 28), by the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. The piece, which expanded on comments Musk had made earlier on social media, led to the resignation of the paper’s commentary editor, Eva Marie Kogel. Also read: ‘I will go to war,’ Musk turns on MAGA over H-1B; far-right Loomer claims her X account ‘censored’ Last week, Musk posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that "only the AfD can save Germany." His comments were widely criticised, with the German government dismissing them as lacking sound political judgment. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk’s actions “undignified and problematic,” suggesting they could amount to election interference. In the opinion piece, written in German, Musk wrote, "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!" After the article was published, Kogel announced her resignation via a post on X. “I always enjoyed heading the opinion department at Welt and Wams. Today a text by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. Yesterday I submitted my resignation after printing,” she wrote, alongside a link to Musk’s article. Also read: Elon Musk's 'problematic' post on German politics sparks accusations of interference 'Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but...' Responding to the controversy, Jan Philipp Burgard, the incoming editor-in-chief of Welt, and Ulf Poschardt, who is set to take over as publisher on 1 January, told Reuters, “Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression. This includes dealing with polarising positions and classifying them journalistically.” In the same edition of the newspaper, Burgard published a response to Elon Musk’s piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally false,” he wrote. The AfD, known for its strong anti-immigration stance, has been classified as a suspected extremist organisation by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency since 2021. The party has called for mass deportations from Germany and championed for anti-immigration policies, like Donald Trump during his presidency in the United States. This move comes ahead of Germany’s federal election on 23 February. While the AfD is ranking second on polls, mainstream centrist parties have vowed not to collaborate with them at the national level. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk endorses German far right AfD in op-ed; opinion editor resigns in protest

Berlin, Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday. This development has set the stage for an early general election scheduled for February 23. In the German Bundestag, 394 deputies voted against Scholz, while 207 supported him. There were also 116 absentees.
The Bundestag speaker, Bärbel Bas, said, “We have reached the end of our daily agenda, and also of the traffic light coalition,” referring to the now-collapsed three-way alliance.
The result of the vote enables President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag and formally call for new elections.
The vote followed a tense and heated debate where Chancellor Scholz laid out his plans for significant investments in security, business, and social welfare. However, the opposition criticised his delay in acting, asking, “Were you on another planet?”
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-part-of-the-plan-syrias-assad-breaks-silence-says-he-was-evacuated-to-russia-784421">'Not part of the plan,' Assad says Russia 'requested' immediate evacuation</a>
Scholz defended his administration’s record, stating that his government had increased spending on Germany’s armed forces, which had been left “in a deplorable state” by previous CDU-led governments. “It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany,” Scholz added. “A highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours’ flight from here,” he warned.
Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) accused Scholz of leaving Germany stuck in “one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era”. He declared, “You had your chance, but you did not use it … You, Mr Scholz, do not deserve confidence.”
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-deputy-pm-chrystia-freeland-resigns-from-cabinet-over-clashes-with-trudeau-on-trumps-tariff-threats-784436">Canada's Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland resigns over disagreements with Trudeau</a>
Scholz’s political troubles began when his fragile three-party coalition fell apart on November 6, the same day Donald Trump won re-election in the United States.
(With inputs from agencies)

During the confidence vote, 394 deputies voted against Scholz, while 207 supported him. There were also 116 absentees.



Berlin, Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday. This development has set the stage for an early general election scheduled for February 23. In the German Bundestag, 394 deputies voted against Scholz, while 207 supported him. There were also 116 absentees. The Bundestag speaker, Bärbel Bas, said, “We have reached the end of our daily agenda, and also of the traffic light coalition,” referring to the now-collapsed three-way alliance. The result of the vote enables President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag and formally call for new elections. The vote followed a tense and heated debate where Chancellor Scholz laid out his plans for significant investments in security, business, and social welfare. However, the opposition criticised his delay in acting, asking, “Were you on another planet?” Also read: 'Not part of the plan,' Assad says Russia 'requested' immediate evacuation Scholz defended his administration’s record, stating that his government had increased spending on Germany’s armed forces, which had been left “in a deplorable state” by previous CDU-led governments. “It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany,” Scholz added. “A highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours’ flight from here,” he warned. Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) accused Scholz of leaving Germany stuck in “one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era”. He declared, “You had your chance, but you did not use it … You, Mr Scholz, do not deserve confidence.” Also read: Canada's Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland resigns over disagreements with Trudeau Scholz’s political troubles began when his fragile three-party coalition fell apart on November 6, the same day Donald Trump won re-election in the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz loses confidence vote, early election set for February 23

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday. This development has set the stage for an early general election scheduled for February 23. In the German Bundestag, 394 deputies voted against Scholz, while 207 supported him. There were also 116 absentees.

The Bundestag speaker, Bärbel Bas, said, “We have reached the end of our daily agenda, and also of the traffic light coalition,” referring to the now-collapsed three-way alliance.

The result of the vote enables President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag and formally call for new elections.

The vote followed a tense and heated debate where Chancellor Scholz laid out his plans for significant investments in security, business, and social welfare. However, the opposition criticised his delay in acting, asking, “Were you on another planet?”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-part-of-the-plan-syrias-assad-breaks-silence-says-he-was-evacuated-to-russia-784421">'Not part of the plan,' Assad says Russia 'requested' immediate evacuation</a>

Scholz defended his administration’s record, stating that his government had increased spending on Germany’s armed forces, which had been left “in a deplorable state” by previous CDU-led governments. “It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany,” Scholz added. “A highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours’ flight from here,” he warned.

Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) accused Scholz of leaving Germany stuck in “one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era”. He declared, “You had your chance, but you did not use it … You, Mr Scholz, do not deserve confidence.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-deputy-pm-chrystia-freeland-resigns-from-cabinet-over-clashes-with-trudeau-on-trumps-tariff-threats-784436">Canada's Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland resigns over disagreements with Trudeau</a>

Scholz’s political troubles began when his fragile three-party coalition fell apart on November 6, the same day Donald Trump won re-election in the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday. This development has set the stage for an early general election scheduled for February 23.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday. This development has set the stage for an early general election scheduled for February 23. In the German Bundestag, 394 deputies voted against Scholz, while 207 supported him. There were also 116 absentees. The Bundestag speaker, Bärbel Bas, said, “We have reached the end of our daily agenda, and also of the traffic light coalition,” referring to the now-collapsed three-way alliance. The result of the vote enables President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag and formally call for new elections. The vote followed a tense and heated debate where Chancellor Scholz laid out his plans for significant investments in security, business, and social welfare. However, the opposition criticised his delay in acting, asking, “Were you on another planet?” Also read: 'Not part of the plan,' Assad says Russia 'requested' immediate evacuation Scholz defended his administration’s record, stating that his government had increased spending on Germany’s armed forces, which had been left “in a deplorable state” by previous CDU-led governments. “It is high time to invest powerfully and decisively in Germany,” Scholz added. “A highly armed nuclear power is waging war in Europe just two hours’ flight from here,” he warned. Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) accused Scholz of leaving Germany stuck in “one of the biggest economic crises of the postwar era”. He declared, “You had your chance, but you did not use it … You, Mr Scholz, do not deserve confidence.” Also read: Canada's Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland resigns over disagreements with Trudeau Scholz’s political troubles began when his fragile three-party coalition fell apart on November 6, the same day Donald Trump won re-election in the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany's embattled Olaf Scholz faced heavy pressure Thursday to quickly call elections after his unruly coalition collapsed just as Donald Trump celebrated his return to the White House.

The centre-left chancellor has vowed to cling on in a minority government for now and to ask for a confidence vote in January that would likely lead to snap elections in March.

But the conservative opposition is pressing to hold the key vote next week rather than next year, at a time when Germany is suffering economic distress and global volatility.

Christian Democrats (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz –&nbsp;whose alliance with Bavaria's CSU is leading in opinion polls -- said Scholz's alliance with the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats had "failed".

"The decision taken last night... is the end of the coalition government and thus the end of this legislative period," Merz said, adding that there was "absolutely no reason" to delay the confidence vote until January.&nbsp;

The call was echoed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the hard-left BSW, whose rise has rattled Germany's traditionally staid party politics, as well as by the ousted Free Democrats (FDP).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/olaf-scholzs-adviser-joerg-kukies-to-be-germanys-finance-minister-report-774301">Olaf Scholz’s adviser Joerg Kukies to be Germany’s finance minister: Report</a>

Merz later met with Scholz and said he was open to helping the minority government pass legislation, on the condition that Scholz seek a confidence vote "in the coming days", a CDU party source said, adding that Scholz had declined to do so.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the head of state in Europe's biggest economy, urged "reason and responsibility" on all sides and said Germany needed "stable majorities and a government that is able to act".

Now is not the time for "tactics and squabbling", he said, pointing to the "uncertain political situation... in our own country, in Europe, in the world, and also after the election in the United States".

NATO chief Mark Rutte meanwhile expressed confidence that Germany would remain a key player on the world stage.

"I'm sure that when it comes to defence, when it comes to foreign policy, that Germany will be able to fulfil its obligations," Rutte said. "I'm not worried about that."

Scholz's motley three-way crew of ideologically disparate parties took over with fanfare from Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021.

But the early spirit of unity quickly frayed as Germany was hammered by crises including the Ukraine war and soaring inflation.

After months of bitter infighting, mostly on economic and fiscal policy, the coalition finally broke apart Wednesday after Scholz sacked his rebellious finance minister Christian Lindner of the FDP.

The surprise move, which saw two other FDP ministers quit, leaves Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens heading a precarious minority government, where it will have to ask Merz's party to back laws on a case-by-case basis.

Scholz said he would seek a confidence vote by January 15 so lawmakers could decide whether to call early elections by March -- more than half a year ahead of a previously scheduled September vote.

To shore up his depleted cabinet, Scholz appointed his party ally Joerg Kukies as his new finance minister.

The chancellor also delayed a visit to a European summit in Hungary by several hours and cancelled his planned trip to next week's COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.

Germany's political turmoil could not have come at a worse time as the economy is set to shrink for a second year in a row amid dire geopolitical challenges.

"The early end of the coalition leaves Germany somewhat rudderless in what could be an exceptionally turbulent time right after Donald Trump won the US election," Berenberg bank analyst Holger Schmieding said in a research note.

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But Schmieding said a snap election and new leadership in early 2025 might ultimately help, as "the constant bickering within the now-defunct three-party coalition had turned into a major obstacle to growth".

A new opinion poll gave the CDU/CSU alliance 32 per cent support –&nbsp;one point ahead of the combined total of the SPD with 15 per cent, the Greens with 11 per cent and the FDP with only five per cent.

The AfD scored 18 per cent in the Ipsos poll, making it the second-strongest party, but it is unlikely to enter any government as all other parties have vowed not to cooperate with it.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany's embattled Olaf Scholz faced heavy pressure Thursday to quickly call elections after his unruly coalition collapsed just as Donald Trump celebrated his return to the White House.

Germany's embattled Olaf Scholz faced heavy pressure Thursday to quickly call elections after his unruly coalition collapsed just as Donald Trump celebrated his return to the White House. The centre-left chancellor has vowed to cling on in a minority government for now and to ask for a confidence vote in January that would likely lead to snap elections in March. But the conservative opposition is pressing to hold the key vote next week rather than next year, at a time when Germany is suffering economic distress and global volatility. Christian Democrats (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz – whose alliance with Bavaria's CSU is leading in opinion polls -- said Scholz's alliance with the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats had "failed". "The decision taken last night... is the end of the coalition government and thus the end of this legislative period," Merz said, adding that there was "absolutely no reason" to delay the confidence vote until January. The call was echoed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the hard-left BSW, whose rise has rattled Germany's traditionally staid party politics, as well as by the ousted Free Democrats (FDP). Also read: Olaf Scholz’s adviser Joerg Kukies to be Germany’s finance minister: Report Merz later met with Scholz and said he was open to helping the minority government pass legislation, on the condition that Scholz seek a confidence vote "in the coming days", a CDU party source said, adding that Scholz had declined to do so. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the head of state in Europe's biggest economy, urged "reason and responsibility" on all sides and said Germany needed "stable majorities and a government that is able to act". Now is not the time for "tactics and squabbling", he said, pointing to the "uncertain political situation... in our own country, in Europe, in the world, and also after the election in the United States". NATO chief Mark Rutte meanwhile expressed confidence that Germany would remain a key player on the world stage. "I'm sure that when it comes to defence, when it comes to foreign policy, that Germany will be able to fulfil its obligations," Rutte said. "I'm not worried about that." Scholz's motley three-way crew of ideologically disparate parties took over with fanfare from Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021. But the early spirit of unity quickly frayed as Germany was hammered by crises including the Ukraine war and soaring inflation. After months of bitter infighting, mostly on economic and fiscal policy, the coalition finally broke apart Wednesday after Scholz sacked his rebellious finance minister Christian Lindner of the FDP. The surprise move, which saw two other FDP ministers quit, leaves Scholz's Social Democrats and the Greens heading a precarious minority government, where it will have to ask Merz's party to back laws on a case-by-case basis. Scholz said he would seek a confidence vote by January 15 so lawmakers could decide whether to call early elections by March -- more than half a year ahead of a previously scheduled September vote. To shore up his depleted cabinet, Scholz appointed his party ally Joerg Kukies as his new finance minister. The chancellor also delayed a visit to a European summit in Hungary by several hours and cancelled his planned trip to next week's COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. Germany's political turmoil could not have come at a worse time as the economy is set to shrink for a second year in a row amid dire geopolitical challenges. "The early end of the coalition leaves Germany somewhat rudderless in what could be an exceptionally turbulent time right after Donald Trump won the US election," Berenberg bank analyst Holger Schmieding said in a research note. Also read: UN Peacekeepers injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon But Schmieding said a snap election and new leadership in early 2025 might ultimately help, as "the constant bickering within the now-defunct three-party coalition had turned into a major obstacle to growth". A new opinion poll gave the CDU/CSU alliance 32 per cent support – one point ahead of the combined total of the SPD with 15 per cent, the Greens with 11 per cent and the FDP with only five per cent. The AfD scored 18 per cent in the Ipsos poll, making it the second-strongest party, but it is unlikely to enter any government as all other parties have vowed not to cooperate with it. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany's Scholz cancels trip to COP summit amid pressure to call for elections after coalition collapse

A senior member of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party and a Berlin senator, Franziska Giffey was injured after a man hit her with a bag containing a hard object in a local library, said the police, on Wednesday (May 8).

<h2>What we know about the attack</h2>

The incident took place on Tuesday (May 7) afternoon when the suspect came up behind Giffey to slug her in the head and neck at a library in Berlin before running away, said the police in a statement.&nbsp;

The former mayor and member of Scholz’s party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was slightly injured and taken to hospital for a short time to treat the pain.&nbsp;

The police, on Wednesday, said that they have arrested a 74-year-old suspect, who was previously known to them for hate crime and unspecified incidents against state security. The person was also believed to have mental health issues, according to the police.&nbsp;

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The Berlin public prosecutors office said that an investigation into the motive of the alleged perpetrator was ongoing and will examine if the man should be placed under psychiatric care.&nbsp;

In a series of posts on X, Giffey said after the “initial shock, I can say that I am fine.”&nbsp;

Giffey, in one of the posts, noted that she is “concerned and shocked about a growing ‘free wild culture’ in which people who are engaging politically in our country are increasingly exposed to attacks that are supposedly justified and acceptable”.&nbsp;

She added, “We live in a free and democratic country, in which everyone can be free to express his or her opinions…but there is a clear line – and that is violence against people.”&nbsp;

<h2>Attacks against German politicians</h2>

The attack on Tuesday came amid a growing concern in Germany about a spate of attacks against politicians ahead of&nbsp;June’s European Parliament election.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, a German politician who was identified as a 47-year-old from the Greens party was threatened and spat upon as she hung up campaign posters for the upcoming EU elections in the German city of Dresden.&nbsp;

The incident was caught on camera by German public international broadcaster DW.&nbsp;

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A man, 34, and a woman, 24 have been arrested and are under investigation for their suspected involvement, said the police. The duo was standing with a group which reportedly begun making the banned Hitler salute as the politician was hanging up the posters.&nbsp;

The attack on Tuesday came days after the attack on another SPD member in Dresden.&nbsp;

On Friday (May 3) evening, Matthias Ecke, 41, a member of the European Parliament for the SPD was hospitalised with serious injuries after he was kicked and beaten to the ground while putting up posters for the EU election.&nbsp;

Four German teenagers, aged between 17 and 18, are being investigated over the attack. According to German media reports, all four belong to a far-right group known as “Elblandrevolte”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A senior member of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party and a Berlin senator, Franziska Giffey was injured after a man hit her with a bag containing a hard object in a local library, said the police, on Wednesday (May 8).

A senior member of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party and a Berlin senator, Franziska Giffey was injured after a man hit her with a bag containing a hard object in a local library, said the police, on Wednesday (May 8). What we know about the attack The incident took place on Tuesday (May 7) afternoon when the suspect came up behind Giffey to slug her in the head and neck at a library in Berlin before running away, said the police in a statement. The former mayor and member of Scholz’s party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was slightly injured and taken to hospital for a short time to treat the pain. The police, on Wednesday, said that they have arrested a 74-year-old suspect, who was previously known to them for hate crime and unspecified incidents against state security. The person was also believed to have mental health issues, according to the police. Also Read | Natalie Elphicke, second UK lawmaker defects to Labour in fresh to Conservatives The Berlin public prosecutors office said that an investigation into the motive of the alleged perpetrator was ongoing and will examine if the man should be placed under psychiatric care. In a series of posts on X, Giffey said after the “initial shock, I can say that I am fine.” Giffey, in one of the posts, noted that she is “concerned and shocked about a growing ‘free wild culture’ in which people who are engaging politically in our country are increasingly exposed to attacks that are supposedly justified and acceptable”. She added, “We live in a free and democratic country, in which everyone can be free to express his or her opinions…but there is a clear line – and that is violence against people.” Attacks against German politicians The attack on Tuesday came amid a growing concern in Germany about a spate of attacks against politicians ahead of June’s European Parliament election. On Tuesday, a German politician who was identified as a 47-year-old from the Greens party was threatened and spat upon as she hung up campaign posters for the upcoming EU elections in the German city of Dresden. The incident was caught on camera by German public international broadcaster DW. Also Read | US halts bomb shipment to Israel amid signs of full-scale Rafah invasion A man, 34, and a woman, 24 have been arrested and are under investigation for their suspected involvement, said the police. The duo was standing with a group which reportedly begun making the banned Hitler salute as the politician was hanging up the posters. The attack on Tuesday came days after the attack on another SPD member in Dresden. On Friday (May 3) evening, Matthias Ecke, 41, a member of the European Parliament for the SPD was hospitalised with serious injuries after he was kicked and beaten to the ground while putting up posters for the EU election. Four German teenagers, aged between 17 and 18, are being investigated over the attack. According to German media reports, all four belong to a far-right group known as “Elblandrevolte”. (With inputs from agencies)

Berlin senator struck on head amid concerns over rise in violence against German politicians

Wolfgang Schaeuble, one of the most important figures in German politics for decades and an icon of budgetary rigour in the eurozone, has died aged 81, the German parliament said Wednesday.

Schaeuble, who was a minister under chancellors Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel, and played a key role in German reunification in 1990, died peacefully in the night, the Bild daily reported.

The current Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Schaeuble had "shaped our country for more than half a century".&nbsp;

"Germany has lost a sharp thinker, passionate politician and pugnacious democrat," Scholz wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Merkel also paid tribute to Schaeuble in a statement shared by her office, describing him as "an outstanding personality... who shaped our country in many ways."

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As finance minister for several years under Merkel, Schaeuble carved out a reputation as the guardian of German budgetary rigour, particularly during the Greek debt crisis.

Describing himself as "pitiless" in his management of Germany's public purse, he showed the same exactitude towards his euro partners, campaigning for tight fiscal discipline and insisting on stringent conditions for any bailout contribution by Berlin.

<h2>'Destructive policies'</h2>

His harsh stance made him unpopular with many Greeks in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the ensuing eurozone debt crisis.&nbsp;

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, who clashed with Schaeuble during the crisis, on Wednesday accused his erstwhile counterpart of having contributed to "the impoverishment of Greece".&nbsp;

"History will judge him harshly, but not more harshly than those who succumbed to his destructive policies," he wrote on X.&nbsp;

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Born in Freiburg in 1942, Schaeuble was the longest-serving member of the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, where he had sat since 1972.

It was under former conservative leader Kohl that the pro-European Schaeuble forged his career, rising through the ranks to eventually become chief of staff for the chancellor, to whom he was long seen as the heir apparent.

Together they oversaw Germany's national reunification, before personal tragedy struck Schaeuble -- an assassination attempt by a deranged man in 1990 left him badly injured and forced him to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

The son of a conservative politician, Schaeuble was known for his biting wit and unerring sense of duty. He was married with four children.

His biographer Peter Schuetz described him as the "most honest man" he knew, "even if he's not always the most charming".

<h2>'Commitment to Europe'</h2>

After a slush-fund scandal shattered Kohl's reputation in the 1990s, Schaeuble spent a period in the political wilderness before making a comeback in 2002.

While Merkel refused to back him two years later for the role of federal president -- instead picking former International Monetary Fund chief Horst Koehler -- he became interior minister in 2005.

Schaeuble was criticised by civil liberties groups for curbing rights in response to the threat of extremist attacks.

However, Merkel rewarded him in 2009 when she tapped him for the more high-profile finance ministry.&nbsp;

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, hailed Schaeuble as "one of the most influential European leaders of his generation".&nbsp;

"I personally witnessed his commitment to Europe, his intellectual rigour and his statesmanship," she wrote on X. 
Schaeuble subsequently served as president of the Bundestag from 2017 until 2021, and remained a member of parliament up until his death.

He had been suffering from cancer for several years, according to Bild.

In a recent interview with Der Spiegel magazine, Schaeuble admitted he felt "lonely" as most of his peers were no longer around, but it did not appear to bother him.&nbsp;

"I can now observe my life as it comes to an end," he said. "I find it exciting to observe myself."

Wolfgang Schaeuble, one of the most important figures in German politics for decades and an icon of budgetary rigour in the eurozone, has died aged 81, the German parliament said Wednesday.

Wolfgang Schaeuble, one of the most important figures in German politics for decades and an icon of budgetary rigour in the eurozone, has died aged 81, the German parliament said Wednesday. Schaeuble, who was a minister under chancellors Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel, and played a key role in German reunification in 1990, died peacefully in the night, the Bild daily reported. The current Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Schaeuble had "shaped our country for more than half a century". "Germany has lost a sharp thinker, passionate politician and pugnacious democrat," Scholz wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Merkel also paid tribute to Schaeuble in a statement shared by her office, describing him as "an outstanding personality... who shaped our country in many ways." Also Read | Lufthansa's $9 bn aircraft bonanza: German airline orders 80 planes from Boeing and Airbus As finance minister for several years under Merkel, Schaeuble carved out a reputation as the guardian of German budgetary rigour, particularly during the Greek debt crisis. Describing himself as "pitiless" in his management of Germany's public purse, he showed the same exactitude towards his euro partners, campaigning for tight fiscal discipline and insisting on stringent conditions for any bailout contribution by Berlin. 'Destructive policies' His harsh stance made him unpopular with many Greeks in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the ensuing eurozone debt crisis. Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, who clashed with Schaeuble during the crisis, on Wednesday accused his erstwhile counterpart of having contributed to "the impoverishment of Greece". "History will judge him harshly, but not more harshly than those who succumbed to his destructive policies," he wrote on X. Watch | Germany ends e-vehicle subsidy | World Business Watch × Born in Freiburg in 1942, Schaeuble was the longest-serving member of the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, where he had sat since 1972. It was under former conservative leader Kohl that the pro-European Schaeuble forged his career, rising through the ranks to eventually become chief of staff for the chancellor, to whom he was long seen as the heir apparent. Together they oversaw Germany's national reunification, before personal tragedy struck Schaeuble -- an assassination attempt by a deranged man in 1990 left him badly injured and forced him to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The son of a conservative politician, Schaeuble was known for his biting wit and unerring sense of duty. He was married with four children. His biographer Peter Schuetz described him as the "most honest man" he knew, "even if he's not always the most charming". 'Commitment to Europe' After a slush-fund scandal shattered Kohl's reputation in the 1990s, Schaeuble spent a period in the political wilderness before making a comeback in 2002. While Merkel refused to back him two years later for the role of federal president -- instead picking former International Monetary Fund chief Horst Koehler -- he became interior minister in 2005. Schaeuble was criticised by civil liberties groups for curbing rights in response to the threat of extremist attacks. However, Merkel rewarded him in 2009 when she tapped him for the more high-profile finance ministry. Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, hailed Schaeuble as "one of the most influential European leaders of his generation". "I personally witnessed his commitment to Europe, his intellectual rigour and his statesmanship," she wrote on X. Schaeuble subsequently served as president of the Bundestag from 2017 until 2021, and remained a member of parliament up until his death. He had been suffering from cancer for several years, according to Bild. In a recent interview with Der Spiegel magazine, Schaeuble admitted he felt "lonely" as most of his peers were no longer around, but it did not appear to bother him. "I can now observe my life as it comes to an end," he said. "I find it exciting to observe myself."

Wolfgang Schaeuble, veteran of German politics, dies at 81

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's troubled coalition suffered heavy losses in two state elections Sunday seen as a crucial test halfway through its term, while the resurgent far right made new gains.

All three parties in the coalition -- Scholz's centre-left SPD, the Greens and the liberal FDP -- lost ground in southern Bavaria, the country's biggest state, and western Hesse, according to vote projections.

The main conservative opposition won in both states, as expected, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made strong gains, ringing alarm bells anew about its growing popularity.

Nearly 14 million people were eligible to vote in the states, almost one in five of Germany's electorate. The polls were seen as a crucial indicator of the population's mood, with surging immigration and economic woes among key topics.

The poor results triggered soul-searching in Scholz's coalition, with senior figures acknowledging a new approach was needed.&nbsp;

The elections were a "signal for the three (coalition) parties that a different pace is needed when it comes to solving the problems of the citizens in this country", SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil told broadcaster ARD.&nbsp;

In contrast, there was cause for celebration for the anti-immigration AfD. Co-leader Alice Weidel declared the party was "on the right track", describing the polls as a "lesson for the (coalition) and a vote for change".

The elections came after a torrid two years for Scholz's government, which has had to contend with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis, which plunged Germany into recession.

Adding to the problems, the chancellor's coalition has been consumed by bitter infighting on issues ranging from climate laws to spending cuts.

Not helping the cause of the SPD and its coalition partners, both states are conservative strongholds. Hesse had been ruled for 24 years by the main opposition CDU and Bavaria since 1957 by the CSU, headed by Markus Soeder.

<h2>- Latest far-right win -</h2>

The SPD had sought to gain ground in Hesse by fielding a heavyweight to run for state premier, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

But the party won just 15 per cent of the vote, almost five percentage points below its last result in 2018, according to the latest projections late Sunday from ARD.

The CDU maintained its first place in Hesse and extended its lead by over seven points to 34.5 per cent, the projection showed.&nbsp;

State premier Boris Rhein is thus set to retain his job, while Faeser is left facing questions about her political future.

The AfD looked to have gained about five percentage points in both Bavaria and Hesse, building on recent local poll wins.

While it does not look likely to enter government in either state -- its strongholds are in eastern Germany -- analysts said it showed the party had broad appeal.

"There can no longer be any talk of (the AfD) being merely an east German regional party," said the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The AfD is traditionally an anti-immigration party but has also focused on attacking the coalition's unpopular climate policies, driven by the Greens. Critics argue they could unduly burden households.

Immigration was also a central theme at the polls as Germany -- like elsewhere in Europe -- faces a surge of new arrivals, reviving memories of a major influx in 2015.

The victory of the CSU -- the sister party of the CDU -- in Bavaria was widely expected and state premier Soeder will retain his post.

But with vote projections showing the party's worst result for decades, it could deal a blow to his ambitions to one day stand as a chancellor candidate.

Ahead of the vote, the state's governing coalition was rocked by a scandal when Soeder's deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, admitted to possessing Nazi pamphlets that were found in the schoolbag he used as a teenager in the late 1980s.

But Aiwanger, leader of junior coalition partner the Free Voters, managed to hang on to his job and his party increased its share of the vote after he claimed he was the victim of a "witch hunt".

In contrast, the parties from Scholz's coalition lost support in Bavaria and the FDP fell below the threshold to get into the state parliament.

Final results are due later Sunday.&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's troubled coalition suffered heavy losses in two state elections Sunday seen as a crucial test halfway through its term, while the resurgent far right made new gains.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's troubled coalition suffered heavy losses in two state elections Sunday seen as a crucial test halfway through its term, while the resurgent far right made new gains. All three parties in the coalition -- Scholz's centre-left SPD, the Greens and the liberal FDP -- lost ground in southern Bavaria, the country's biggest state, and western Hesse, according to vote projections. The main conservative opposition won in both states, as expected, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made strong gains, ringing alarm bells anew about its growing popularity. Nearly 14 million people were eligible to vote in the states, almost one in five of Germany's electorate. The polls were seen as a crucial indicator of the population's mood, with surging immigration and economic woes among key topics. The poor results triggered soul-searching in Scholz's coalition, with senior figures acknowledging a new approach was needed. The elections were a "signal for the three (coalition) parties that a different pace is needed when it comes to solving the problems of the citizens in this country", SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil told broadcaster ARD. In contrast, there was cause for celebration for the anti-immigration AfD. Co-leader Alice Weidel declared the party was "on the right track", describing the polls as a "lesson for the (coalition) and a vote for change". The elections came after a torrid two years for Scholz's government, which has had to contend with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis, which plunged Germany into recession. Adding to the problems, the chancellor's coalition has been consumed by bitter infighting on issues ranging from climate laws to spending cuts. Not helping the cause of the SPD and its coalition partners, both states are conservative strongholds. Hesse had been ruled for 24 years by the main opposition CDU and Bavaria since 1957 by the CSU, headed by Markus Soeder. - Latest far-right win - The SPD had sought to gain ground in Hesse by fielding a heavyweight to run for state premier, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. But the party won just 15 per cent of the vote, almost five percentage points below its last result in 2018, according to the latest projections late Sunday from ARD. The CDU maintained its first place in Hesse and extended its lead by over seven points to 34.5 per cent, the projection showed. State premier Boris Rhein is thus set to retain his job, while Faeser is left facing questions about her political future. The AfD looked to have gained about five percentage points in both Bavaria and Hesse, building on recent local poll wins. While it does not look likely to enter government in either state -- its strongholds are in eastern Germany -- analysts said it showed the party had broad appeal. "There can no longer be any talk of (the AfD) being merely an east German regional party," said the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung. The AfD is traditionally an anti-immigration party but has also focused on attacking the coalition's unpopular climate policies, driven by the Greens. Critics argue they could unduly burden households. Immigration was also a central theme at the polls as Germany -- like elsewhere in Europe -- faces a surge of new arrivals, reviving memories of a major influx in 2015. The victory of the CSU -- the sister party of the CDU -- in Bavaria was widely expected and state premier Soeder will retain his post. But with vote projections showing the party's worst result for decades, it could deal a blow to his ambitions to one day stand as a chancellor candidate. Ahead of the vote, the state's governing coalition was rocked by a scandal when Soeder's deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, admitted to possessing Nazi pamphlets that were found in the schoolbag he used as a teenager in the late 1980s. But Aiwanger, leader of junior coalition partner the Free Voters, managed to hang on to his job and his party increased its share of the vote after he claimed he was the victim of a "witch hunt". In contrast, the parties from Scholz's coalition lost support in Bavaria and the FDP fell below the threshold to get into the state parliament. Final results are due later Sunday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition deals with mid-term poll blow, far right gains

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