Germany’s ruling coalition faces a crisis after chancellor Olaf Scholz fired finance minister Christian Lindner, citing a breakdown of trust. Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats, said that Lindner, head of the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), had prioritised his party’s interests over the country’s needs. This move has left Scholz's coalition without a parliamentary majority; this might lead to a vote of confidence in January and early elections. Tensions within the coalition had been brewing for weeks, particularly over economic policies. Scholz and the Green party had pushed for increased public spending, especially to counter rising energy costs and defence needs following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but Lindner wants to pay for tax cuts by slashing welfare and social budgets and pushing back environmental targets. The political turmoil comes amid economic stagnation and growing uncertainties in Europe, compounded by Donald Trump’s election.