Friedrich Merz becomes the new Chancellor of Germany, succeeding Olaf Scholz who faced numerous challenges during his term, notably the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Scholz emphasized the importance of trust in democracy during his farewell speech. Merz now faces the urgent task of restoring confidence in governance amid rising support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party. Political stability and public trust are critical issues for his new administration as he is formally appointed by the Bundestag today.
Only if you (the German citizen) have confidence in democracy and its representatives can this democracy succeed. Earning this trust has always been the driving force behind my political commitment.
There will be time and place to properly sum up his term, acknowledging that whatever plans Scholz may have had got quickly derailed by Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Merz will need to figure outâand figure out fastâhow to keep that democratic confidence alive at a time when the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland comes top in some of the public opinion polls.
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