Jörg Kukies has been appointed as Germany’s new finance minister, replacing Christian Lindner, who was dismissed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday. Scholz cited a loss of trust and the need to protect the German economy as reasons for Lindner’s removal.
The move has effectively dissolved Germany’s three-party coalition government, which had been struggling due to policy conflicts among Scholz’s SPD, Lindner’s FDP, and the Greens.
Lindner’s dismissal was formally approved by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who also relieved the FDP’s justice and education ministers of their duties. Volker Wissing, the digital and transport minister, will now take on the role of justice minister. The political shift has increased pressure on Scholz to consider a confidence vote, potentially leading to snap elections.
