The political processes in Berlin have been feverish since yesterday, with political uncertainty currently being the only certain fact in Berlin. Chancellor Olaf Solz has announced that he will ask for a vote of confidence before the Bundestag on January 15th, and if he does not receive it, as everything seems to indicate, early elections will have to be called within 60 days, ie until March 15th. They were originally scheduled for September 2025.

In the meantime, after the departure of Mr. Finance Minister Christian Lindner and the Liberals from the coalition government, Olaf Solz is left alone with the Social Democrats and the Greens without the necessary majority in parliament to pass the difficult 2025 budget.

In reality, this is the time for a weak minority government that won’t even be able to do the basics until March. Already yesterday, he also asked for the support of the Christian Democrats in the form of a government of tolerance, just to pass the 2025 budget, which the Christian Democrats, however, reject.

The Christian Democrats are pushing for elections

The head of the Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, speaking from Berlin, is pressuring Chancellor Olaf Solz to request a vote of confidence from parliament immediately, and not in mid-January. “At the beginning of next week at the latest” he said, wanting to speed up the appeal to the early polls, given that his party is consistently first in all opinion polls and he has already announced that he will be a candidate for chancellor.

“There is no reason to postpone the early elections now,” he said, stressing that Germany cannot proceed in the coming months with a government that does not have a parliamentary majority. On Thursday, Friedrich Mertz will meet with Chancellor Olaf Solz to discuss all possible scenarios. He already met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Steinmeier’s role is crucial

Since yesterday, consecutive meetings have also been ongoing at the Bellevue Presidential Palace, with the role of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the coming months being considered decisive in ensuring state continuity and unity.

Speaking as an emergency from the Presidency on Thursday morning, he emphasized that in German post-war history, the announcement of early elections is a rare phenomenon. But, as he pointed out, the German Constitution has relevant provisions and provides institutional solutions. “It is not the end of the world”, as he said, calling for calm for the next steps and referring to the Constitution.

It is not time for “tactics” but it is time for “reason and responsibility”. He even asked all sides to “show responsibility” since the times demand it.

Phileleftheros sub. Transport supports Soltz

In the next few hours, the official ratification of the Soltz decision to dismiss Christian Lindner is expected, as well as the formal ratification of the resignation of the other Liberal ministers.

The only exception is Phileleftheros sub. Transport Volker Vissing, who contrary to the “line” Lindner, decided to remain in the government, after consultation with Chancellor Olaf Solz, who asked for his support. At the same time, he announced his departure from the Liberal party.

In the meantime, the name of Christian Lindner’s successor in the department has already been announced. Finance. This is the economist Jörg Kukis, Olaf Solz’s trusted advisor in the chancellery on matters of fiscal and economic policy. Cookis is expected to be appointed today, soon after Lindner’s ouster was made official.