BERLIN. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed to gain confidence in the Bundestag, paving the way for early elections in February. Scholz received 207 votes in favor, 394 votes against. 116 abstained. To gain confidence he would have had to obtain at least 366 votes.
“Germany is Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe. If Russia wins, our security in Germany will be in danger in the long term,” the chancellor said while speaking in the Bundestag. However, Scholz also reiterated that Germany will not deliver long-range weapons capable of hitting Russia as deeply as the Taurus. “And certainly with me as chancellor, German soldiers will not be sent to Ukraine,” he added.
Explaining what his plans are for the future, after the hoped-for early elections, Scholz said: “I will fight in the next election campaign to raise the minimum wage from 15 euros an hour.” “Respect also means being able to live off your work. In the last legislature I promised to bring the minimum wage to 12 euros. I have kept this commitment”, he explained. But in the current situation it would need to increase to at least 14, he added.