The collapse of Germany's governing coalition and President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House are creating new risks for the European Union's biggest economy.

While the world has been watching Washington, Germany is quietly going into political meltdown. This is a very German crisis involving coalition infighting and complicated constitutional questions. But behind the complex political wrangling,

Germany’s center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced he is firing Finance Minister Christian Lindner, which could undermine the ruling three-party coalition that relies on Lindner’s pro-business party.

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,

Dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner has accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz of deliberately causing the break-up of Germany's centre-left coalition government. "His carefully prepared statement this evening proves that Olaf Scholz was no longer trying to reach an agreement that was viable for everyone,

The three parties that have governed Germany in an increasingly fractious coalition for the past three years met on Wednesday evening for a last-ditch bid to agree a new economic consensus that could avert a collapse of the government.

Leaders of 3 parties convene to forge compromises between their differing visions on rescuing economy from decline

Donald Trump's return as U.S. president increases the need for a German government that is able to act decisively, officials said, ahead of a meeting on Wednesday evening that may determine the fate of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's faltering coalition.