German President Dissolves Parliament, sets Feb 23 Election Date

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected date for the early general election prompted by the collapse of Olaf Scholz's government last month.

Scholz's coalition was brought down by internal fights over how to revive Europe's largest economy, but a deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market last week has renewed the country's heated debates over security and immigration.

Confirming the February 23 date for the election, Steinmeier emphasized a need for "political stability" and appealed for the campaign to be "conducted with respect and decency". Scholz will remain in office as a caretaker chancellor until a new government is formed, which could take several months.