Scholz says he will seek vote of confidence in December

He made that announcement during a speech in Parliament, a week after the three-party ruling coalition failed.

Germany has been governed by a coalition led by the Scholz party, the Social Democrats, which included Green and Free Democrats.

The alliance between them was divided and not easy, and eventually failed last week when Scholzi dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who comes from the Free Democrats, following disagreements about how to revive the country's weakened economy.

“Already set the date at the end of February and I am very grateful for this”, Scholz said, adding that he will try to pass important laws in Parliament before this date, such as financial support for the children of poor families, or make changes in the country's Constitution to make the highest court sustainable over possible political interventions.

He said he would hand over a motion for confidence vote on December 11th so that Bundestag can decide for that on December 16th.

Scholz initially wanted early elections to be held by the end of March.

However, the conservative opposition party, The CDU, demanded that the vote of confidence in Parliament be held earlier so that it can accelerate holding the next elections.

In the end, party leaders from the political spectrum agreed on Wednesday for the two dates -- the one for confidence votes and for new elections on February 23rd.

Four candidates are expected to run for Chancellorship in February.

Scholz said he wants to run again even though his party has not yet announced his candidacy.

Merz from the CDU, which leads in polls for the time being, was officially nominated by his party in September.

The current country minister and vice-cancellar Robert Habeck will compete for the Greens.

The far-right party Alternative to Germany ( AfD, has said it will nominated party leader Alice Weidel, candidate for Chancellor next month. / REL/