Is it over for Olaf Scholz? Turmoil in Germany as coalition crumbles

Germany’s traffic light coalition, made up of Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democrats and the Greens – has finally collapsed. Chancellor Scholz said he had no trust in his finance minister, and the shaky coalition has come to an end. A vote of confidence will take place early next year, and could pave the way for early elections.

Scholz’s decision means the EU’s largest economy is now in political chaos, hours after the election of Donald Trump paves the way for deep uncertainty about the future of Europe’s economy and security. Journalist Constantin Eckner joins The Spectator’s assistant online editor Lisa Haseldine to discuss what the coalition collapse means for Germany and Europe going forward.

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[philipdurling]

How long before Starmer falls? Woke never lasts long.

[MidnightRambler]

Ignoring the ADF voters and forming unstable coalitions

[johnsmithers]

Thank god.Europes weakest leader is toast.Auf Wiedersehen!!

[Brommear]

"Looking at the polls..." Now let me think where I've recently heard that!

[charlesmoss]

Germany with its drive towards high cost manufacturing over several decades underpinned by a change in work ethic and a drive to a green dynamic not being followed by competitors will in my opinion cause Germany to enter a deindustrialising spiral similar to the one seen in the UK in the 60s and 70s while it’s need to subsidise the weaker members of the EU will limit its ability to recover itself. It’s a bit - well I’ll let you choose the word?

[mygoogle]

I imagine those still bleating on about Brexit killing our country won’t notice this or see it as vindication for why we left. Eu climate policy and immigration have become major issues. Who would us thought, those who voted for leaving. It was very clear it was not working, that’s why it’s starting to disintegrate country by country as no border centralised control enforcing socialist policies of control are inevitably being rejected. To thrive we need less government and less owners legislation enables people to do business. Rather than fundamentally hamstringing this basic driver of growth

[AMK]

This guy is also the Talksport German correspondent - is there anyone in England that covers both sports and politics? I'm suspicious now of both his knowledge bases...jack of all trades?

[assassinsunite]

Trump 24 🇬🇧 fanclub MAGA America first 🇺🇸

[guidoscholl]

Ms Haseldine ´s German pronunciation is erstklassig!

[lawLess-fsqx]

nothing a few million more Africans can't solve. Get to it EU.

[scptcL]

Do The Spectator have any Northerners on their books? I never hear anything but Southern accents.

[alparkopp]

German people need to get out and protest the corrupt government ! They need a real leader, even if he is a painter !

[dianamincher]

The German people are paramount so unite for delivery!

[wildsurfer]

Trump’s reelection already having an impact I see.

[jdg]

Lol at all these "slava Ukraine" politicians falling one after the other.

[sohoguys]

Really Spectator, you couldn't find anyone more knowledgeable and with a better command of the English language? My ears are bleeding.

[hamdanikavousifar]

انضم الرجال الأمريكيون إلى الحظر المفروض على روسيا، الموجود الآن في باتونيا

[operator]

Colonel Douglas MacGregor predicted his removal a year ago.

[ThomasBoyd-tg]

SPD party Hate FDP yes Thomas German government finished. Wish SPD party run British government it socialist compare Labour government.

[barkebaat]

For shame! Someone should have told Eckner that his hair wasn't properly stuck on!