An election could take place in late January, he said. "We simply cannot afford to have a government without a majority in Germany for several months now, followed by an election campaign for several more months and then possibly several weeks of coalition ...

After decades of relative stability, the country has entered a new era of political fragmentation and will hold new elections at a precarious time.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed a pro-business party from his governing coalition, ending a three-year alliance marked by increasing internal dissent and political stasis.

The collapse of Germany's ruling coalition is set to bring more economic pain in the months ahead and just a glimmer of hope for Europe's ailing economic giant if, and that is a big if, it can lead to a less fractious government and more coherent policies.

Germany’s center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced he is firing Finance Minister Christian Lindner, which could undermine the ruling three-party coalition that relies on Lindner’s pro-business party.

Germany’s leader is expected to lead the country with a minority government after the collapse of the coalition

Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democrats, accusing Lindner of breaching his trust.

Germany’s coalition government collapsed dramatically last night after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his Finance Minister, leader of the pro-business Free Democrats.

Germany's governing coalition has collapsed after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired a key minister and said he would call a vote of confidence in his government early next year. The chancellor said he had no trust in Finance Minister Christian Lindner,