Schroeder move set to lead to new elections

German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder plans to hold a parliamentary confidence vote by the beginning of July, the chairman of his Social Democratic Party said today, a move that would mean new elections must be held by September 18.

Social Democratic chairman Franz Muentefering said he plans to hold a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament before the lower house of parliament breaks for its summer recess. Its last scheduled meeting is July 1.

If parliament brings down the chancellor, President Horst Koehler has 21 days to dissolve parliament; after that, new elections must be held within 60 days. That means that elections must be held by September 18.