The German conservative leader hoping to replace embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday called for early elections as Europe’s biggest economy grapples with a major political crisis.

Leader of the opposition centre-right, Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, accused Mr Scholz’s Social Democrats of delaying tactics because Mr Scholz refused to speed up his planned timetable for fresh elections.

This follows the collapse of his governing three-party coalition earlier this week.

Following the sudden departure of the Liberal Free Democrats from his coalition, after Mr Scholz sacked their leader as finance minister, the Chancellor suggested a vote of confidence in the lower house.

He suggested a vote of confidence in the lower house or Bundestag, for January 15.

If this fails as expected, given that Mr Scholz no longer has a majority in parliament, a snap election would have to be held within 60 days after that, meaning elections are likely in March.

For Mr Merz, whose party is riding high in the polls, this is far too late.

“The strategy of tabling a confidence vote in January was irresponsible and a mere delay,” Mr Merz said after a special meeting of conservative lawmakers in Berlin.

He said that he wanted the vote to take place next week, a suggestion rejected by Mr Scholz.

“The drawn-out timetable revealed that obviously party-political motives are at the forefront for Scholz,” Mr Merz said.

Sacked finance minister, Christian Lindner, made similar accusations after his dismissal, and also called for an immediate vote of confidence and new elections.

The far-right Alternative for Germany party has also opposed any delay.

The Greens – Mr Scholz’s only remaining coalition partner – have said little about the election timetable.

But Greens leader Robert Habeck, the current vice chancellor on Friday put himself forward as the party’s candidate for chancellor whenever new elections were held.

Mr Scholz argued that leaving the vote of confidence until January would allow him to pass the most vital and urgent legislation, before parliament is dissolved.

Mr Merz suggested that Mr Scholz should combine a vote of confidence with a planned government statement that he is due to give in parliament on Wednesday. 

(dpa/NAN)