Political turmoil leads to resignation in Germany's Free Democrats over D-Day paper

Germany is facing significant political upheaval following the resignation of Bijan Djir-Sarai, a senior figure in the pro-business Free Democrats party. This event is rooted in a recent departure from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government, which occurred three weeks prior. The coalition, composed of Scholz's Social Democrats, Green Party, and the Free Democrats, has been marred by infighting and disagreements on economic revitalization strategies. The situation escalated when the Free Democrats released an internal strategy document referencing a 'D-Day' scenario regarding how the party might communicate its exit from the coalition. This document sparked backlash not only from opposition parties but also from within the Free Democrats themselves, highlighting deep divisions in the party and undermining its public credibility. Djir-Sarai's resignation was positioned as an act of political responsibility to prevent further damage to the party's credibility as they prepare for a critical election, with polls indicating a risk of failing to secure representation in the parliament. With the coalition now dissolved, Chancellor Scholz is poised to face a confidence vote on December 16. Anticipating a loss in the vote, he is likely to trigger early elections scheduled for February 23. The fallout from this turmoil has the potential to realign Germany's political landscape and impact the future of the Free Democrats, which are already struggling to maintain their parliamentary presence.