Chancellor Olaf Scholz has formally set Germany on course for an early election by requesting a confidence vote in parliament next week.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to file a petition with the lower house of parliament on Wednesday requesting a confidence vote next Monday that will trigger a snap election in late February.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set on Wednesday to submit a request to parliament to hold a vote of confidence, the necessary precursor to holding new federal elections after the collapse of his coalition last month.