> I just can't wrap my head around these in so many levels. The easier of these questions would be, how can a chancellor deliberately lose a vote of confidence?

> I just can't wrap my head around these in so many levels. The easier of these questions would be, how can a chancellor deliberately lose a vote of confidence? What makes the action deliberate exactly? Just openly telling your coalition to not vote for you. > How can a chancellor expect voters in fresh elections to bolster their chancellorship, just right after losing a vote of confidence? I don't think saying "I came into power, but I'am not sure, if you really want me so please vote for me." will have negative effects on your election results. > I can only interpret this as some kind of political flex, basically telling the Bundestag that "I may not have your confidence but I still have mandate from the people". The chancellor gives up on forming the government, but it's the parliament's to vote for a new election.