German opposition now wants vote of confidence – DW – November 8th, 2024

A co-chair of the right-wing extremist Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, said at a press conference in Berlin on Thursday that the “traffic light” or Traffic light The coalition – the German nickname based on the colors red, yellow and green of the three parties – “ended just as unworthily as it governed.”

“The fact that it’s ending early is the only good thing you can say about three years.” Traffic light “Government,” said Weidel. She called her early demise a “liberation,” using a German soccer term for when a defender clears the ball far away, which would otherwise have been dangerous.

She also described Scholz's handling of the split with Lindner as “unworthy”: “That's not how you deal with former coalition partners and blame each other.”

Currently, no mainstream German party is willing to join forces with the AfD in a coalition at the federal level, saying their positions are incompatible. But Weidel called on those on the right of center to rethink.

“It is their responsibility [CDU/CSU] “We want to come to an agreement with the AfD, the second strongest opposition party in surveys, in order to enable a future-oriented and effective government without the SPD and the Greens,” she said. “The AfD is ready.”

She also called for a much faster timetable for early elections than the one proposed by Scholz.

“To only submit a motion of confidence in parliament on January 15th is irresponsible. You cannot continue with a rump government consisting of a government that no one wanted anymore. Chancellor Scholz has long since lost the trust of the German population. And he has to. “Immediately clear the way for new elections and a motion of confidence,” she said.

Weidel then announced that her party would request a vote of confidence in the Bundestag next week.