As of: December 8th, 2021 4:06 p.m.
Angela Merkel wished her successor Olaf Scholz a “lucky hand” in the leadership of the country. To be Chancellor of Germany is one of the “most beautiful tasks”, she said at the handover.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated her successor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on taking office. “Take possession of this house and work with it for the good of our country,” said the CDU politician when the office was handed over to the Chancellery.
She knows from her own experience that it is a moving moment to be elected to this office. Perhaps Scholz suspects that this is an exciting, fulfilling and also demanding task. “But if you approach it with joy, then it is perhaps one of the most beautiful tasks there is to be responsible for this country,” said Merkel. From the bottom of her heart she wishes all the best and always “a happy hand” for the country.
“So much will not change there”
For his part, Scholz paid tribute to Merkel’s political merits. “You have achieved great things,” he emphasized. Together they both had through several crises, including the financial crisis of 2008/09 and the refugee crisis in 2015. The fact that “trusting work always existed” shows “that we are a strong, efficient democracy in which there is a great consensus between the responsible democrats “.
Nevertheless, Merkel had a particular impact on the country, the government and the Chancellery. Scholz promised the employees of the Chancellery that he would build on “the north-east German mentality that prevailed here”: “That much will not change there.”
The work can begin
Scholz and the ministers of the Ampel coalition had previously been appointed. You have taken your oath and can start work. Federal President Steinmeier warned to maintain social cohesion in spite of all changes.
In many ministries, the handover of office to the new home owners took place at the same time in the afternoon. The new cabinet wants to meet for its first session that evening.