German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fires Finance Minister Christian Lindner [Video]

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday he had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, bringing an end to Germany’s ruling coalition after months of political wrangling and raising the possibility of snap elections in March.

The three-year-old union between Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and Lindner’s Free Democratic Party (FDP) had been on shaky ground for some time, with differing budget and economic policy positions causing tensions and clashes.

Speaking at a press conference late Wednesday, Scholz launched a tirade against Lindner, saying he was not concerned about serving for the common good and he was dismissed to prevent harm to the country. Scholz said he would call for a vote of no confidence on Jan. 15 in parliament, raising the possibility of elections earlier than scheduled in March.

“Anyone who …