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Germany's Scholz loses a confidence vote, setting up an early election in February

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Germany's Scholz faces a confidence vote. It's expected to lead to an election in February

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz leaves after his speech during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz leaves after his speech during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz,, bottom right, attends a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz,, bottom right, attends a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz of CDU speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz of CDU speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, centre arrives for a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, centre arrives for a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz of CDU speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz of CDU speaks during a plenary session at the German parliament Bundestag where he faces a vote of confidence, Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)