Germany looks set to hold elections early next year

Significance Scholz has committed to holding a confidence vote in a minority SPD and Greens coalition on January 15, which would likely result in defeat and lead to early elections in March. Opposition parties and business leaders are demanding that the confidence vote take place much sooner. Impacts The next CDU government would likely pivot more to the right than CDU governments over the last 15 years. Domestic troubles are weakening the capacity of France and Germany to shape and influence EU decisions. Berlin will come under voter pressure to reconsider its approach to Ukraine should US President-elect Donald Trump reduce support for Kyiv.