Scholz sworn in as German chancellor as Merkel era ends

Berlin, Dec 8 (EFE).- Olaf Scholz was sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor on Wednesday, ending Angela Merkel’s 16 years as leader.

Scholz’s Social Democratic Party will govern in a coalition with the Greens and the liberal Free Democratic Party, an alliance with a majority in the Bundestag, the German parliament.

Merkel’s successor served as her deputy chancellor and finance minister in her last cabinet.

Under the slogan ‘Dare For More Progress’, the cabinet, which will be on average one year younger than Merkel’s first group of ministers in 2005, has made Covid-19 and the climate crisis its policy priorities.

It will also have an equal number of male and female ministers, one of Scholz’s campaign pledges.

The Social Democratic Party, which won the most votes in September’s general elections with 25.7 percent, will have seven ministries, in addition to the Chancellery.

The Greens, who obtained 14.8 percent, will have five portfolios, while the Free Democrats (11.5 percent) will be in charge of four. EFE

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