Scholz seeks support for faltering reign

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on opponents to steer clear of divisive politics and back his minority government after the breakup of the so-called traffic light coalition, which has paved the way for a vote of confidence on Dec 16 and a likely national election in the new year.

The coalition of Scholz's Social Democrats, the Green Party and the liberal Free Democratic Party was agreed upon in December 2021 but fell apart last week when Scholz removed the Free Democrats' Finance Minister Christian Lindner in a row over the budget, relating to Germany's continued support for Ukraine.

Scholz asked rival parties to put aside tribal differences and to act for the good of the nation for the remainder of the time his government is in office.