Scholz fails to win vote of confidence in Germany, early election process begins

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost the vote of confidence held on Monday. This has paved the way for the dissolution of parliament and new national elections.

In the 733-seat parliament, Scholz received 207 votes, failing to reach the 367-vote majority needed to retain power.

The loss was expected following the collapse of the three-party coalition due to deep disagreements over fiscal policy.

Scholz himself supported the early election, but there had been speculation prior to the vote that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party planned to sabotage the early election process.