![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OE2JRVVSYISKZ7LEJIVNF6GMQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9570550961ff1e122a65fed39c56203c061642f8938e64bcad4dd329640555ed&width=400&height=225)
Angela Merkel poses with ministers and other members of her government after the cabinet meeting at the Chancellery. AFP
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Social Democratic Party chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz, centre, arrives with the SDP's Norbert Walter-Borjans, second left, and Saskia Esken, second right; Green party leaders Annalena Baerbock, fourth left, and Robert Habeck, third left; the Free Democratic Party Chairman Christian Lindner, fourth right, and Volker Wissing, third right, for a joint news conference in Berlin on November 24. AP
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Mr Scholz is set to become Germany’s ninth post-war chancellor under a coalition deal that will hand him the reins of Europe’s biggest economy. AP
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Left to right: Christian Lindner, Olaf Scholz, and the co-leaders of Germany's Greens, Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck, attend a press conference in Berlin to present their deal for a post-Merkel government. AFP
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Mr Scholz arrives for the presentation of the coalition agreement. Three parties united behind a four-year programme which they said would modernise Germany while preserving its economic might. AP
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FDP leader Christian Lindner arrives for a final session of coalition talks in Berlin. AFP
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Departing Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Olaf Scholz after her last cabinet meeting in Berlin. EPA
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Ms Merkel receives a bouquet of flowers from Mr Scholz as she arrives for the cabinet meeting. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OE2JRVVSYISKZ7LEJIVNF6GMQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9570550961ff1e122a65fed39c56203c061642f8938e64bcad4dd329640555ed&width=400&height=225)
Angela Merkel poses with ministers and other members of her government after the cabinet meeting at the Chancellery. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/56PKL5KGHTEHPZUOGC66IDGXE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=703d035e5bb7700eb1b5a5ea9904a43b5f5b8077c18d0b06073f2baf83e5b096&width=400&height=225)
Social Democratic Party chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz, centre, arrives with the SDP's Norbert Walter-Borjans, second left, and Saskia Esken, second right; Green party leaders Annalena Baerbock, fourth left, and Robert Habeck, third left; the Free Democratic Party Chairman Christian Lindner, fourth right, and Volker Wissing, third right, for a joint news conference in Berlin on November 24. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XAXKPXRUBXN2SIEZJ77QRB6RHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d2fdd73ab5e25efe647633c90c3e89566a061532f62ba2043f19ade8e2182f5&width=400&height=225)
Mr Scholz is set to become Germany’s ninth post-war chancellor under a coalition deal that will hand him the reins of Europe’s biggest economy. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/COUZQPI52VHZDMD66HXCRFAJXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e711f204ad4b6dee52817226c2dcf03b8316f41caa2b0f48dab00618c72d125&width=400&height=225)
Left to right: Christian Lindner, Olaf Scholz, and the co-leaders of Germany's Greens, Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck, attend a press conference in Berlin to present their deal for a post-Merkel government. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N672WK4EETQKHGJBQ3H7Z6P7VE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a5fa387e0a608204ece9ad0b81df664e5306084eb4e1c30d0a82e3a254cc78aa&width=400&height=225)
Mr Scholz arrives for the presentation of the coalition agreement. Three parties united behind a four-year programme which they said would modernise Germany while preserving its economic might. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VFWHMGWXCDCFQYG2FJZ34I3CFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd568aa9c30cf83a072c91733c1b95adb31db98aecc3bb3362cc46b5958cec64&width=400&height=225)
FDP leader Christian Lindner arrives for a final session of coalition talks in Berlin. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K35WVWFTI7TRRUT4YW4EWDYKPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b44242cc584954f8fcd58792fb40a037ee2144e82c12c5b1ba770526fa4a11d4&width=400&height=225)
Departing Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Olaf Scholz after her last cabinet meeting in Berlin. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V5SZAAQRM4QTYM7CCZRHGDESBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f0e854329546b3ae797c75f95c47bcc019295f4d6376cab2fcc2997d5ac04fc&width=400&height=225)
Ms Merkel receives a bouquet of flowers from Mr Scholz as she arrives for the cabinet meeting. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OE2JRVVSYISKZ7LEJIVNF6GMQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=9570550961ff1e122a65fed39c56203c061642f8938e64bcad4dd329640555ed&width=400&height=225)
Angela Merkel poses with ministers and other members of her government after the cabinet meeting at the Chancellery. AFP
German 'traffic light' coalition: Five breakdowns
Three-way deal unveiled under which Olaf Schulz will succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor
Tim Kiek
24 November, 2021
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