German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he will ask for a vote of confidence on Dec. 16, paving the way forward for an early parliamentary election in February.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian democratic (CDU/CSU) opposition, is pushing for a confidence vote before Christmas.

Germany's government coalition fell apart on Wednesday after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister.

By Andreas Rinke and Tom Sims BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that he would be willing to call a vote of confidence in parliament before Christmas, a move that would pave the way for snap elections following the collapse of his three-way governing coalition.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came under increasing pressure on Sunday to bring forward a vote of confidence in parliament that would pave the way for snap elections following the collapse of his governing coalition.

Germany's embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday he would be ready to ask for a confidence vote this year to pave the way for snap elections.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under increasing pressure from rival parties to accelerate plans for a general election, with conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz calling for a crucial vote to set the process going as early as Wednesday.

The decision follows the Free Democrats’ exit from the coalition, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz without a majority.

The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced a vote of confidence in his government following the coalition's collapse. This move could pave the way for early parliamentary elections, which pose significant political and organisational challenges.