Europe’s largest economy and normally a pillar of stability is facing snap elections next year after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence.

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday that he's expected to lose, paving the way for the European Union's most populous member and biggest economy to hold an early election in February.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had hoped for this outcome when he called for the confidence vote, analysts say. His aim: to win fresh elections in February and come back with a stronger mandate.