Germany: President Steinmeier Dissolves Bundestag

President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier has taken a formal step that will lead to elections on February 23.

Steinmeier officially dissolved the Bundestag for lack of confidence in Scholz’s government after the December 16 vote.

“In difficult times, you need a government that can act. That is why I am convinced that new elections are the right way for the good of our country,” Steinmeier said, recalling in his speech the difficult economic situation of Europe’s largest economy and the complex international context.

That’s why we need “a capable government and a reliable majority in parliament.” But achieving this also requires an election campaign based on “respect and decency,” he explained, referring to the mutual respect pact signed by Germany’s various political forces, with the exception of the right-wing AfD and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (Union of Sahra Wagenknecht).

And in this regard, Steinmeier referred to Elon Musk’s social media, warning them “against foreign influence, which is particularly strong on X.” “Hate and violence should have no place in this election campaign, just as there should be no slander and intimidation, which are poison to democracy.”