On November 11, 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the possibility of holding a confidence vote in the Bundestag before Christmas. This comes in the wake of the recent dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, which has led to a crisis within the coalition government. Scholz indicated that the democratic factions should agree on a timeline for new elections, expressing a desire for a swift resolution.
Scholz mentioned that if the leaders of his party and the opposition reach a consensus on a date for the vote, he would support it. The opposition CDU/CSU has called for the vote to take place as early as November 13, which could lead to new elections by January 19, 2025. Scholz reaffirmed his position as the SPD's main candidate in the upcoming elections.
In a separate context, Scholz stated his willingness to engage in negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that such discussions should involve Ukraine and other parties. He noted the importance of ensuring that Ukraine can rely on Germany and that efforts must be made to prevent escalation of the conflict.
Scholz's comments on potential talks with Putin signal a readiness to explore diplomatic avenues, although he has not specified a timeline for these discussions. The last direct conversation between the two leaders occurred in December 2022, with Scholz advocating for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.