The German Chancellor proposes a vote of confidence in his government

In a first formal step on the way to new Bundestag elections, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asks Bundestag President Bärbel Baas to submit a vote of confidence in the government to parliament, in accordance with Article 68 of the German Basic Law.

According to information, the vote of confidence will take place on December 16 in the Bundestag.

This will likely be done personally by name, so no parliamentarian will be able to vote for or against Scholz without revealing his identity.

To gain the confidence of parliament, Scholz must receive 367 votes out of 733, an absolute majority of all parliamentarians, also known as the chancellor’s majority.

After the FDP left the government coalition with the SPD and the Greens, it’s believed that a vote of confidence will be impossible.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will then officially set the date for the election.

This is expected to be February 23, the date agreed upon by the major parties in government and the opposition.