German chancellor’s last remaining coalition ally makes his move before expected early election
German Eonomy Minister Robert Habeck says he hopes to become his Green Party’s candidate for chancellor in the coming election
BERLIN — Germany's economy minister said Friday that he hopes to become his Green Party's candidate for chancellor in the upcoming election.
The announcement by Robert Habeck, who is also vice chancellor, follows the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition on Wednesday.
The Greens are a small party that lost popularity in recent elections and whose support currently hovers around 10%. Germany’s opposition center-right is leading in the polls.
It is therefore unlikely that Habeck could end up as the country's leader. His move, however, indicates how German politicians are gearing up for an early election after the collapse of the coalition.
“I am applying as a candidate for the Greens, for the people of Germany,” Habeck said in a video posted on X. “If you want, also as chancellor. But that is not my decision, that is your decision. Only you can decide that.”
Scholz indicated plans for a timeline that could bring an early election by late March — before the vote that is regularly scheduled for September 2025.
However, the opposition is calling for an immediate confidence vote in the parliament to speed that up. Industry leaders are also among those saying that Germany needs a stable government in place soon, as the economy struggles and as Europe prepares for a change of leadership in the United States.
Scholz on Friday said that he's willing to talk about the timing of a vote of confidence and the subsequent new election. He said consultations were taking place with stakeholders, including groups in the German Bundestag and constitutional bodies, in order “to take into
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