Following the end of the traffic light coalition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has asked the German Bundestag to vote in favor of a new election on February 23, 2025. Parliament will meet at noon today for a special session to discuss the motion. Scholz will explain the vote of confidence in the Bundestag in a 25-minute speech. This will be followed by a debate lasting around two hours, followed by a roll-call vote. The Chancellor needs 367 votes to win the vote of confidence. If Scholz does not get a majority, he will ask Federal President Steinmeier to dissolve the Bundestag and call a new election. He will then have 21 days to make his decision, but it is expected before the end of the year. Expected statements before the start and after the conclusion of the special session: 11.15 a.m. Statement by FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr 11.30 a.m. Statement by AfD parliamentary group leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla 11.45 a.m. Statement by SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich 12.15 p.m. Statement by BSW chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht 12.40 p.m. Statement by Left Party chairwoman Heidi Reichinnek and Sören Pellmann _____ 4 p.m. Statement by B'90/Green parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge and Britta Haßelmann 4.30 p.m. Statement by Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) and CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt