German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved the Bundestag on Friday. "Especially in such difficult times as now, a government capable of acting and a credible majority in parliament is needed," Steinmeier stated in Berlin,

Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament and set the country’s snap election for Feb. 23, formally endorsing a timetable proposed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz after he pulled the plug on his ruling coalition last month.

Germany is headed for a national election seven months early. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier ordered the parliament dissolved and set new elections for Feb. 23.