Germany’s governing coalition has collapsed after disagreements over the country’s weak economy led Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sack his finance minister.

After months of disputes, Chancellor Olaf Scholz ousted one of his governing partners, adding to the challenges for Europe since Donald Trump’s election.

The collapse of Germany’s governing coalition and President-elect Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House are creating new risks for the European Union’s biggest economy

With both France and Germany led by minority governments, the continent’s key powers are likely to be consumed by domestic politics as challenges pile up.

The collapse of Germany's ruling coalition is set to bring more economic pain in the months ahead and just a glimmer of hope for Europe's ailing economic giant if, and that is a big if, it can lead to a less fractious government and more coherent policies.

Germany’s economy is sliding down a steep cliff, and Donald Trump’s reelection might just be the final push over the edge. See, with Trump back in the White House, Europe’s [former] economic powerhouse is under fire,