Why has the German government collapsed?

The faltering economy triggers a crisis

Illustration of the Brandenburg Gate cracking and collapsing
(Image credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / Getty Images)

Germany's coalition government has collapsed, a victim of the country's stagnant economy and infighting among the coalition partners.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday he will "lead the country with a minority government," said The Associated Press. His coalition fell apart after he fired Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party, as his government's finance minister. Scholz said he does not intend to call new parliamentary elections until Jan. 15 — resisting calls for immediate snap elections. "The citizens will soon have the opportunity to decide anew how to proceed," Scholz added.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.