German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier intends to announce his decision to dissolve the Bundestag (German parliament) and call new elections next Friday, December 27. This is reported by AFP, according to UNN.
Details
Over the past few days, Steinmeier has reportedly held talks with leaders of parliamentary groups and factions in the Bundestag to “assure himself that the prospect of a stable parliamentary majority for the federal government no longer exists,” Steinmeier explained on Friday in Berlin.
He added: “I intend to make a decision to dissolve the German Bundestag on December 27, 2024, in accordance with Article 68 of the Basic Law.
This article stipulates that the federal president can dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days if the federal chancellor does not receive a majority of votes during a vote of confidence, which is exactly what happened during the vote of confidence requested by Chancellor Olaf Scholz on December 16.
If Federal President Steinmeier decides - as expected - in favor of dissolving the Bundestag, federal elections should be held within 60 days. The date of February 23 has already been agreed with him, AFP reports.
In his talks with the heads of parliamentary parties and groups, Steinmeier “wanted to listen to the mood of parliamentary parties and groups” before deciding to dissolve the Bundestag, the federal president's office told AFP.
Recall
394 deputies of the Bundestag supported the dissolution of the government and early elections.