German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolves the country's Bundestag (parliament) and confirms February 23 next year as the date for an early general election prompted by the collapse of Olaf Scholz's government last month. "The dissolution of the Bundestag before the end of the legislative period and snap elections are exceptional cases in our country," he says at his official residence in Berlin. "Especially in difficult times like now, stability requires a government capable of acting and reliable majorities in parliament." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES