Germanys embattled Scholz paves way for early elections [Video]

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday amid a deep coalition crisis that he will seek a vote of confidence in January that would pave the way for early elections by March.

He spoke after firing his rebellious Finance Minister Christian Lindner in a dramatic night session at the chancellery, declaring there was no longer any “basis of trust”.

Scholz said he planned to ask for a vote of confidence by January 15 so that MPs “can decide whether to clear the way for early elections” which could be held by the end of March — six months earlier than scheduled.

He bitterly attacked Lindner’s “petty political tactics” and accused him of a level of egoism that is “completely incomprehensible”.

Scholz cited the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House, Germany’s economic woes and the war in Ukraine as reasons for why Europe’s top economy now needs political certainty.

“We …