The German parliament on Wednesday elected Olaf Scholz to serve as the country’s ninth chancellor since the end of World War II.
Angela Merkel’s successor, who ruled the country for 16 years, received 395 votes in favor from parliamentarians, while 303 others voted against. The new Chancellor’s three-party coalition holds 416 of the 736 seats in the Lower House of Parliament.
Angela Merkel, who is no longer a member of Parliament, took her place in the stands to watch the vote. The deputies gave him a standing ovation.
Olaf Scholz’s government takes over as the most populous country in the European Union (EU) amid the most intense phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Olaf Scholz, 63, was German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister from 2018 until he was sworn in.
The new government promises to step up efforts to fight climate change, in particular by promoting renewable energy and phasing out the use of coal to generate electricity by 2038. He also wants to improve cell phone and Internet networks and push through certain more liberal policies, including legalizing the sale and use of cannabis for recreational purposes and raising the minimum wage.
The vice-chancellor of Germany will be the co-leader of the Greens, Robert Habeck.
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