After all three parties of Germany’s coalition government suffered a disastrous result in European Parliament elections, voices across the nation are calling for new elections. Not only did the main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (cdu), win almost the same number of seats as all three parties of the current coalition combined, but Germany’s far-right party won more than each of the individual governing parties. The media, opposition politicians and the German people yearn for change at the top.

cdu leader Friedrich Merz called the result a “disaster” for the governing coalition. “This result must give the federal government food for thought,” he said. “A change of policy is needed in Germany.” His party demanded a vote of no confidence and new elections.

Suggesting that Chancellor Olaf Scholz step down, Bavarian State Premier Markus Söder said: “That would be the last great service that Olaf Scholz could do for the Germans. Gerhard Schröder had the courage to do that back then. Olaf Scholz should do the same.”

Bild wrote: “The only option now is a new start or a new election!” Tagesspiegel wrote that the government is “fighting for survival.”

Instead of change, the government believes it must work harder to convince the people of its outstanding work. Scholz said on Monday:

The election result was bad for all three governing parties. No one is well advised to simply go back to business as usual. At the same time, however, it is also about doing our job to ensure that our country becomes modern, that it moves forward and, incidentally, to prepare for the fact that approval will continue to grow so that the results of this work can be put to the vote at the next general election and the people have confidence in the work.

Germans are voting for change, but they are promised more of the same. Frustrations are certain to grow.

Europe is becoming increasingly ungovernable, torn between different fractions, ideals and crises. In times like these, people yearn for strong leaders—but they are susceptible to being misled.

“Current conditions in Europe, including the refugee crisis and the turmoil in German politics, provide probably one of the greatest opportunities ever for a new leader to come into power ‘by flatteries,’” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in “Germany—A New King Is Imminent.”

He referenced a prophecy in Daniel 11 that reads: “And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (verse 21).

As Mr. Flurry explains in A Strong German Leader Is Imminent, the book of Daniel is for our time today and this prophecy specifically refers to Europe.

The Trumpet has long watched for events in Europe to fulfill this prophecy. The stronger the dissatisfaction becomes, the closer we are to the fulfillment. As Mr. Flurry wrote:

Expect political and social crises in Germany and Europe, and public resentment and anger, to grow even deeper.

Then watch for a strongman to take advantage and make his way to power through flatteries!