Thread by @euronews

It’s official: Olaf Scholz is the chancellor of Germany, replacing Angela Merkel after 16 years in office. 🇩🇪

Scholz’s SPD has teamed up with the FDP and Greens to form a coalition, forcing Merkel’s CDU into opposition for the first time since 2005.

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After Merkel’s long tenure, people have questioned exactly what direction he will take Germany in.

Experts reckon that while Scholz is like Merkel, Germany is not necessarily headed for more of the same, as he's far more decisive than his predecessor.

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🇪🇺 With Germany’s status as an EU powerhouse, Scholz’s chancellery might also significantly alter the course of the EU as the bloc deals with significant challenges such as rule of law, the climate crisis and relations with Russia.

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At home, one of the big policies that Scholz seems keen to introduce is the legalisation of cannabis - a change backed by all three of the coalition parties. 🍁

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Other notable policies thrashed out by Scholz’s coalition agreement include pumping more money into foreign policy, phasing out coal by 2030 and reducing the voting age to 16. 🗳

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As for outgoing Merkel, she leaves behind a legacy as an indispensable crisis manager, a stabilising force in the EU and a leader who raised Germany’s profile to unprecedented levels.🇩🇪

These are some of the most striking pictures of her time in power 👇 cutt.ly/zYnUprV

And who can forget this classic image? 🦜️

🇩🇪 Do you think Merkel has been a good leader for Germany over the past 16 years?

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