Germany: Olaf Scholz Is The New Chancellor

Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as the new German Chancellor marking the end of Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure. Mr Scholz swearing-in comes after the German Parliament, the Bundestag, backed his appointment by 395 votes to 303. The vote paved the way for his appointment as the ninth Federal Chancellor by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The new German Chancellor, a soft-spoken political guru, positions himself as the continuity candidate after playing a key role in the Merkel’s government as Vice-Chancellor. His party, the Social Democratic that won majority votes in September’s federal election, will govern alongside, the Greens and the libertarian Free Democratic Party.

In recent days, each party has approved a coalition agreement that lays out government objectives, including raising the minimum wage to $13.50, phasing out coal-fired power plants by 2030 and a pledge for the country to go carbon neutral by 2045.

The new German Chancellor, a 63-year-old career politician in the center-left Social Democratic Party has for decades, held a wide range of positions; Member of Parliament, Mayor of Hamburg, labor minister and finance minister in coalition governments under Merkel. He has a deep understanding of the political process and how to get things done. Though Mr Scholz is said to be calm, steady hand in a crisis and a pragmatic leader who strives for compromise just like his predecessor, there is a slide difference when it comes to for...