Germany's Scholz plans confidence vote in January
The chancellor's decision came after he fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Germany's ruling coalition had been locked in a dispute over economic proposals pushed forward by Lindner's neoliberal FDP.
Scholz delivered a press conference explaining his decision to fire his finance minister, which has put his coalition in danger of collapsing.
Asked why he sacked Lindner, Scholz said: "He has broken my trust too often... Serious government work is not possible under such circumstances."
"Finance Minister Lindner showed no willingness to implement any of our proposals," Scholz said, adding that German companies need immediate support and "anybody who refuses that is acting irresponsibly," in reference to the impasse with Lindner.
Scholz said that after the US elections, where Donald Trump has been elected, Germany now "needs to show we can be relied on."
Minutes before news of Finance Minister Lindner's dismissal was announced, German media reported that the Free Democrats leader had suggested to his partner Chancellor Scholz to hold elections early next year.
