On March 25, pro-government media outlets such as Imedi, NewsHub, INFO9 news agency, and Exclusive Media published posts that indirectly link the German Foreign Ministry’s March 24 decision to impose visa restrictions on members of the Georgian government with the “dismissal from their positions” of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet by German president March 25.
The circulated posts manipulatively link the German Foreign Ministry’s sanctions on representatives of the Georgian government to the dismissal of Olaf Scholz’s cabinet by the German president. The social media posts create the impression that Scholz’s cabinet was incompetent and was removed by the German president. In reality, dismissing the government after parliamentary elections is an official duty of the German president and part of the power transition process.
Germany held parliamentary elections on February 23, 2025. The election results placed the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in first place with 25.5%, with Friedrich Merz as its chancellor candidate. The far-right party, Alternative for Germany, came in second with 20.6%, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) secured third place with 20.1%. On March 25, the newly elected Bundestag held its first session, but coalition negotiations between the CDU and SPD for forming a government are still ongoing.
After elections, the dismissal of the outgoing government, the nomination of a new chancellor, and the subsequent appointment of a new cabinet of ministers are the official duties of the German president under the country’s legislation and are part of the power transition process. Accordingly, on March 25, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dismissed 14 ministers from Olaf Scholz’s cabinet. It is noteworthy that the president thanked Scholz’s government for its service and highlighted its swift and confident decision-making during multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Hamas’s attack on Israel, followed by the war in Gaza. Steinmeier emphasized the German government’s response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. According to the president, Scholz’s administration managed to successfully strengthen Germany’s defense capabilities, ensure energy security, and provide shelter for war refugees. The president stated that these achievements of the federal government deserve respect.
Until Germany’s new government is formed and officially appointed, Scholz’s cabinet will continue performing the duties of the executive branch. As a transitional government, Scholz’s cabinet members will retain all existing powers but will not make significant decisions and will attend only essential meetings. For example, Olaf Scholz will attend the Ukraine summit in Paris.
On March 24, the German Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on Georgian officials. According to the statement, an additional three individuals were banned from entering Germany due to their role in suppressing protests.
“For nearly 3 months, the people of Georgia have been protesting in favor of a future in the EU and against the course of the Georgian leadership. They [Georgian people] continue to face intimidation, arrests, and violence. Today, Germany has imposed further entry bans on Georgian officials responsible for the crackdown,” the statement reads.
Previously, on December 31, 2024, Germany imposed sanctions on nine Georgian officials responsible for the crackdown on protests.
Archive links: Imedi, NewsHub, Information agency INFO9, and Exclusive Media
