Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s efforts to hold together the SPD, Greens, and FDP coalition have reached a critical juncture, following escalating crises including the Ukraine war and economic challenges. Once seen as a promising alliance, the coalition now grapples with internal disputes and declining public support. Scholz’s initiative to boost defense spending and manage a tougher budget faced resistance, leading to tensions among party leaders. Ultimately, the coalition’s instability culminated in the resignation of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, marking the premature end of the ambitious project to govern under the ‘traffic light’ coalition model.