German industry: Plenty of paper for early ballots

Germany will not lack for paper in the event that snap elections are called early in the New Year, the head of the country’s paper-producing industry has said.

Asked by ZDFheute.de, the online service of a national public broadcaster, whether there would be enough for election documentation should an election be called in January, Alexander von Reibnitz said: “Clear answer: Yes.”

Provided that the order went in on time, all the paper needed for an early parliamentary election could be supplied, Von Reibnitz said in the article published on Saturday.

On Friday, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz not to be overly hasty in triggering an election, with the Christmas holiday season approaching.

This could be risky on organizational grounds, including the acquisition of paper and the commissioning of printing companies, she wrote in a letter.

Following the collapse of his three-party coalition, Scholz indicated he was open to discussing the date when parliament could hold a vote of confidence – a precursor to new elections – after initially indicating a preference for January 15.

Scholz wants parliament to pass some pressing laws by the end of the year, before the electoral process is triggered. But the conservative opposition is pushing for the vote of confidence to take place sooner.