Scholz bows out of COP29 climate summit after government collapses

By Hans von der Burchard, Gordon Repinski, Karl Mathiesen | 11/08/2024 06:14 AM EST

The decision follows a dramatic breakdown of Germany’s three-party coalition government.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Europa building.

Olaf Scholz had been planning to attend the gathering in Baku from Monday to Tuesday. Olivier Matthys/AP

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not travel to the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan next week following the breakdown of his ruling coalition.

“The chancellor will not travel to the COP29,” a government spokesperson told POLITICO.

Scholz had been planning to attend the gathering in Baku from Monday to Tuesday. Yet on Wednesday evening, his three-party ruling coalition collapsed, sending Germany toward fresh elections early next year.

Scholz’s withdrawal adds to a growing list of leaders deciding to miss the talks.

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