Social Democrat Olaf Scholz was sworn in as Germany’s ninth post-World War II chancellor, ending 16 years of conservative rule under Angela Merkel.Scholz will lead Germany's first federal "traffic light" coalition, made up of the SPD, the ecologist Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and named for the parties' colours.

The new chancellor paves way for a pro-European coalition government which has vowed to boost green investment. "It will be a new beginning for our country. In any case I will do everything to work towards that," the 63-year-old said following the official handover ceremony in the Berlin parliament. "I know you are starting work highly motivated,” Merkel told Scholz , adding: “take this office and work in the best interest of our country — that is my wish.”

As Germany’s new chancellor, Scholz will lead Europe's largest economy which is currently facing a brutal fourth wave of coronavirus infections. Scholz was elected chancellor after a secret ballot in which he won 395 out of 707 German lawmaker's votes. The SPD-Greens-FDP coalition sealed a pact, titled "Dare for More Progress" last month that pledged “a new beginning for Germany". The alliance aims to slash carbon emissions, overhaul decrepit digital infrastructure, modernise citizenship laws, lift the minimum wage and have Germany join a handful of countries worldwide in legalising marijuana.