German conservative leader Friedrich Merz launched his election bid with a stinging attack on Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling the Social Democrat a “lightweight” and accusing him of sowing division in Europe’s biggest economy.

Germany's embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz, mired in a government crisis, traded blows with his rivals Wednesday in combative parliament speeches as all sides ready for elections in February.Scholz told parliament that spending on security or support for Ukraine are crucial but must not lead to cuts in pensions,

A political crisis continues in Germany. On December 16, the Bundestag will vote on a confidence motion for Olaf Scholz's government. On Wednesday, the German Chancellor announced that he would officially request the Bundestag to vote on his government’s motion of confidence on December 11.