On December 27, local time, German Federal President Steinmeier announced his decision to dissolve the Bundestag (lower house of parliament), and the election date for the new Bundestag is set for February 23, 2025.

Steinmeier said at a press conference that day that Germany "needs a government capable of taking action" and that the next federal government faces major challenges and "solving problems will become the core content of politics."

Steinmeier also announced that he has agreed to hold a new Bundestag election on February 23 next year. This date is the result of negotiations between the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands(SPD), the Bündnis 90/die Grünen and the largest opposition party, the Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands(CDU).

According to local media reports, in addition to Scholz of the SPD, the current candidates for German Chancellor include the CDU Chairman Mertz, current Deputy Prime Minister Habeck from the Bündnis 90/die Grünen, and the AfD Chairman Weidel.

In the confidence vote of the German Bundestag held on December 16, German Chancellor Scholz failed to obtain the support of a majority of members. According to German law, the federal president can dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days on the recommendation of the prime minister and hold new elections within 60 days.