Collapse of the German coalition: what consequences for the EU?

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After the breakup of the German government coalitionChancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to hold a vote of confidence in January at the earliest.

More the opposition CDU party now demands that the German chancellor organizes the vote as early as next weekwhich would pave the way for early elections from the start of next year.

The coalition has split recently over major differences over budget issues for 2025, but tensions between the three parties of the so-called “traffic light” coalition have been going on for several years already.

In the aftermath of the election of American President Donald Trump for a second term, which could force Europe to strengthen its security and defense, the fall of the German government is likely to weaken the European bloc.

A predictable collapse

Thu Nguyen, expert in European politics, explains to Euronews that the breakup was inevitable.

“Domestically, the breakup of the coalition was a foregone conclusion. In the preceding days, the signs were there, the differences between the three coalition partners were simply too great to overcome”she said, adding that the timing is unfortunate, because the EU and Germany need strong leadership.

The expert hopes that German government crisis will be temporary, saying the EU must ensure “a common response to the American election”.

She says she is worried that leaders such as Viktor Orbán and Giorgia Meloni can “promote a vision of the European Union that is more pro-Russian or less green, or even tougher on immigrationbecause they feel strengthened by the result of the American presidential election.

“Without a functioning government in Germany and with a very weakened French president and French government, there is simply a lack of leadership”she concludes.