Olaf Scholz voted as Germany’s leader

Olaf Scholz the new German Chancellor. Pic/AFP

Germany's parliament elected Olaf Scholz as the country's ninth post-World War II chancellor on Wednesday, opening a new era for the European Union's most populous nation and largest economy after Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure.

Scholz's government takes office with high hopes of modernising Germany and combating climate change but faces the immediate challenge of handling the country's toughest phase yet of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers voted by 395-303 to elect Scholz as chancellor, with six abstentions. His three-party coalition holds 416 seats in the 736-seat lower house of parliament. Scholz exchanged fist bumps with lawmakers from across the political spectrum. He was to be formally named as chancellor by Germany's president and sworn in by the speaker of parliament later Wednesday. Merkel, no longer a member of parliament, was in the spectators' gallery. Lawmakers gave her a standing ovation as the session started.

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