After decades of relative stability, the country has entered a new era of political fragmentation and will hold new elections at a precarious time.

After Germany's government coalition collapsed in a dramatic fashion when Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats, Scholz said he would lead the country with a minority government,

Germany will be able to provide most of its support to Ukraine even if the coalition's collapse prevents the timely approval of the 2025 budget. Source: Reuters, citing sources from the budget committee,