German election officials at both federal and state levels planned to meet on Monday to discuss the preparation for the expected snap election for the lower house of parliament or Bundestag. This is after the collapse of the ruling coalition.

According to the Federal Election Authority, there is a need for an exchange of information between the two levels, similar to a regular Bundestag election.

The meeting to be held online at 1:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) is also expected to cover new procedures following a change in the federal election regulations.

An important point is that those running for the Bundestag will no longer need to disclose their private address.

The year of birth and place of residence will suffice.

This aims to minimise the risk of candidates becoming victims of violent crime or politically motivated stalking.

Federal Election Commissioner Ruth Brand reported to have begun preparations for a possible new election to tackle the challenges posed by the shortened deadlines together with all stakeholders.

In a letter to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, she warned of unforeseeable risks due to shorter deadlines and pointed to logistical challenges.

Ms Brand intends to fully utilise the 60 days set down in the constitution between the dissolution of parliament and the new election “to ensure that all necessary measures can be taken legally and on time.’’

The German opposition criticised Ms Brand’s statements as potentially interfering with setting a date for the election.

The meeting was planned before Mr Scholz said on Sunday that he could imagine holding a vote of confidence before Christmas.

That vote was needed before elections could be called.

Mr Scholz had originally said he would hold the vote of confidence in January after his coalition collapsed last week, but that prompted a heated debate with demands to hold it sooner. 

(dpa/NAN)