Germany: parliament to declare no confidence in chancellor Olaf Scholz – live

Chancellor triggered path to elections, due to take place on 23 February, by firing finance minister Christian Lindner last month

“It is my goal to call an early general election,” Scholz says, saying that he aims to shore up trust in the future of the country by ensuring prosperity and security. “We need more economic growth.”

Scholz also cites the necessity of investment to continue supporting Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion while funding the German military. “No voter could have anticipated the challenges we would face over the last three years.”