Olaf Scholz takes over as Chancellor of Germany, succeeds Merkel

Social Democratic leader Olaf Scholz became the ninth chancellor of Germany after World War II on Wednesday, ushering in a new era in the most populous country in the European Union after Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure.

The Scholz government takes the reins with high hopes of modernizing Germany and fighting climate change, but faced the immediate challenge of managing the worst wave of infections the country has suffered in the coronavirus pandemic.

He was elected by a vote of 395-303, with six abstentions. His three-party coalition has 416 seats in the chamber of 736 MPs. The difference is not unusual when chancellors are elected, and some lawmakers were on sick leave or quarantine.

The Social Democratic leader was officially appointed by the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Later he returned to Parliament to be sworn in before the President of Parliament. The new chancellor, who is not religious, omitted the optional phrase “with God’s help” from the oath, as did Merkel’s predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder.

Merkel, who is no longer part of Parliament, attended the vote from the visitor’s box. Legislators gave him a standing ovation at the beginning of the session.

At a handover ceremony at the chancellery, Merkel wished Scholz good luck. “Take possession of this house and work with it for the good of the country ”, said. Scholz thanked Merkel for her work, telling her: “You left your mark in this country.”

Merkel, 67, has said she will not seek another political office and did not mention future plans on Wednesday. This year, Merkel said she will take time to read and sleep “and then we will see”.

Scholz, 63, who had been vice chancellor and finance minister since 2018, comes with vast experience and discipline to a fledgling coalition of his Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats, a pro-business party. All three parties have described the combination of old rivals as a progressive alliance that will bring new energy to the country after Merkel’s near-record time at the helm.

“We embark on a new journey, one that takes on the great challenges of this decade and beyond”Scholz said Tuesday. If the matches are successful, he added, “it is a mandate to be re-elected together in the next elections ”.

The new government aspires to redouble efforts against climate change by expanding the use of renewable energies and advancing the abandonment of energy produced with coal since 2038, “ideally“To 2030. It also wants to do more to modernize the country, including addressing the known shortcomings of its cell phone and internet networks.

In addition, it plans to adopt more progressive social policies, such as legalizing the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes and making it easier to obtain German citizenship, although the coalition has promised to redouble efforts to deport immigrants who do not get asylum. The partners want to reduce the voting age in national elections from 18 to 16.

The new government also plans to increase the minimum wage to 12 euros (US $ 13.50) per hour, from the current 9.60 euros. Scholz has stated that this implies “an increase in wages for 10 million people”. The coalition has promised that 400,000 new apartments will be built a year in an effort to curb rising rental prices.

Scholz has opted for continuity in foreign policy and pointed out that the government would defend a strong European Union and contribute to the transatlantic alliance.