The Bundestag has no right to dissolve itself. An early election is possible only by a defined route. One route is a vote of confidence. If the chancellor loses it, the federal president may dissolve the Bundestag within 21 days, on the chancellor’s proposal, but is not obliged to. This has happened in 1972, 1983, 2005 and 2024. On 16 December 2024, 207 of 707 members who voted expressed confidence in Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with 116 abstentions. On 27 December, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier cleared the way for a new election, which was held on 23 February 2025.