The Bundestag will elect the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz to the post of chancellor on Wednesday December 8, bringing Angela Merkel's 16 years in power to an end, announced the lower house of the German parliament.
Read also Germany: first crisis for the future Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Olaf Scholz, 63, must be elected by a majority of the 736 members of the Bundestag, before the handover on the same day with the Chancellor.
The process of electing the Chancellor, the third state figure after the President of the Federal Republic and the President of the Bundestag, is highly codified.
After his election by the deputies, the future chancellor is received by the president who gives him and his ministers his "
act of appointment
", marking the official start of his four-year mandate.
First trip to Paris
The Chancellor then returns to the Bundestag to take the oath, before moving to the Chancellery for the handover.
He will then be at the head of an unprecedented coalition of three parties, formed by the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals.
Like his predecessors, he will make his first trip to Paris.
This election will take place in the midst of a health crisis in Germany.
Olaf Scholz, even before taking office, is already hard at work deciding on new measures against the epidemic outbreak.
The future chancellor thus participated Thursday in a meeting with Angela Merkel and the leaders of the 16 regions to decide on new restrictions, which should target as a priority the unvaccinated.
Read also Germany: Angela Merkel's benevolence towards Olaf Scholz is causing an international sensation
The vaccine obligation to which Olaf Scholz is in favor could be voted by the end of the year, for entry into force in February or March.
