Olaf Scholz Calls for German Unity Ahead of Vote of No Confidence

Scholz used his first speech in parliament since losing the majority of the "traffic light coalition" to call for national unity. He urged opposition parties to support the minority government in the months leading up to early elections to prevent Germany from becoming polarized like the U.S.

Scholz stated, "The times we live in are very difficult. We live in a single country. We are better off when we can look into each other's eyes even after a debate, when we are united."

He called on the opposition conservatives to support the key legislative goals that his administration still hopes to pass "for the good of the nation."

Germany is expected to head to the polls on February 23, with more than 60 million people eligible to vote.