BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the German parliament on Monday, putting the European Union’s most populous member and biggest economy on course to hold an early election in late February.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote Monday, setting the stage for parliamentary elections next year. A majority of Germany's 733 lawmakers said they no longer have confidence in the center-left chancellor's leadership.

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.