Germany : Olaf Scholz becomes new Chancellor

Germany has got a new Chancellor. Olaf Scholz, takes over from Angela Merkel who led the country for 16years. He is the 9th federal Chancellor appointed by the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The new Chancellor was sworn-in this December 8 by the President of the German Parliament, Bundestag which had backed his appointment by 395 votes to 303.

Mr. Olaf’s centre-left Social Democrats will lead the country alongside the Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats.

Germans voted the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) headed by Olaf Scholz in the September 26 federal election.

Accordingly, the former Chancellor, Angela Merkel who ruled for 16 years has officially stepped down. 

Olaf Scholz, “Scholzomat”

Prior to becoming Germany’s Chancellor, 63-year-old Olaf Scholz has held a wide range of positions.

The politician has been a member of parliament, mayor of Hamburg from 2011-2018, Labour Minister and Finance Minister in coalition governments under former Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Olaf Scholz has been deputy to the former Chancellor, Angela Merkel for 3 years.

He has once been nicknamed “Scholzomat”.

First Priorities

Apart from other issues to be addressed by the new Chancellor’s government, two pressing issues will have to be dealt with ; climate change and the #COVID19 pandemic which continues spread.

According to the BBC, Germany has recorded 69,601 new cases of the disease, and 527 deaths in just 24 hours- the highest number of infections on record, since last winter.

Germany is one of the countries where the new #COVID19 variant , Omicron has been reported since it was discovered on November 24.

Olaf’s country is currently witnessing the fourth wave of the pandemic. Five days ago, the German Health Minister, Jens Spahn said Omicron could aggravate the country’s already preoccupying health situation.

The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine also awaits the Olaf government. Although Russia has denied plans of invading Ukraine, this remains a case to watch out for.

Olaf Scholz also plans to increase the country’s minimum wage. He has promised to increase the minimum wage from 9.60 euros to 12 euros an hour for 10 million of the country’s lowest-paid citizens.

He also aims to create more housing and make the Germany’s economy a flourishing one.

Kathy Neba Sina