Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked Germany's parliament on Monday to declare it has no confidence in him, taking the first formal step towards securing an early national election following his government's collapse.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces a confidence vote on Monday he is expected to lose, paving the way for which will likely to put Germany on course for a snap election early next year, after the collapse of his governing coalition plunged the country into uncertainty.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to German lawmakers on Monday and called for massive new investment into infrastructure and defense, hitting on key campaign themes ahead of a vote in parliament that will pave the way for a snap federal election in just over two months.