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

Scholz, who has campaigned on a pledge of being a “peace chancellor” against frontrunner Merz’s more hawkish approach to Russia, again stresses his opposition to sending long-range Taurus missiles or German soldiers to embattled Ukraine.

Scholz is clearly using the Bundestag speech as a campaign rally. He has repeatedly denounced his former coalition partner, the Free Democrats, blaming them for the collapse of the government with “weeks-long sabotage”. Referring to their deep differences over fiscal policy, Scholz stresses the need for government spending to address the economic downturn. “Not everyone in the coalition saw it that way,” he said. “If there is a country in the world that can afford to invest then it’s us.” He urges a “modernisation” of the debt brake which curbs state investment.