Chancellor Olaf Scholz urges action on social benefits and tax reforms ahead of Germany's February snap election. Facing a conservative opposition surge, Scholz emphasizes balancing security with prosperity.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz launched his election bid with a stinging attack on Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling the Social Democrat a “lightweight” and accusing him of sowing division in Europe’s biggest economy.

Today, our Berlin correspondent explains why the EU’s biggest economy is heading for an early election, and we report on the political chaos around the final European commissioner hearings. Context: Scholz unravelled his coalition last week,