Germany will not be short of papers if an emergency election is called at the beginning of the New Year, said the head of the country’s paper manufacturing industry.
Asked by ZDFheute.de, the national public broadcaster’s internet service, whether there would be enough electoral documents if elections were not held in January, Alexander von Reibnitz said: “The clear answer: Yes.”
As long as the order comes in on time, all the necessary documents for the parliamentary elections can be provided, said Von Reibnitz in an article published on Saturday.
On Friday, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz not to rush the election, as the Christmas holiday season approaches.
This could be dangerous for organizational reasons, including the purchase of paper and the approval of printing companies, he wrote in the letter.
After the collapse of the three-party coalition, Scholz said he was ready to discuss a date when parliament could have a vote of confidence – a prelude to new elections – after first announcing when it would be held on January 15.
Scholz wants parliament to pass tough laws by the end of the year, before the election process begins. But the conservative opposition is pushing for a confidence vote soon.