Friedrich Mertz, after the election of the Bundestag, replaced Olaf Sholtsa as Chancellor of Germany.
After the Prime Minister and his ministers took the oath in the Bundestag, the Chancellery in Berlin took place of the transfer ceremony.
In his speech at the ceremony, Mertz thanked Sholts for his work over the past 3.5 years.
Chancellor noted that he is aware of the prime minister’s responsibility: “I am sure that we can solve our country’s problems with our own efforts in this parliament. I am also confident in ourselves.”
noting that Scholz will continue his activities in parliament as a deputy, Mertz said: “I am also glad to work with you in the German Bundestag. As we agreed, I will be happy to accept your advice and help.”
Olaf Sholts wished the stroke of success at a new post.
Ex-Chancellor said that from today there is a special responsibility for Germany.
“In recent years in Europe, we had to face such problems as war, energy crisis, high inflation and, more recently, American tariffs imposed by Europe, – said Scholz, and also solve constant tasks for the modernization of our country and the fight against climate change.”
According to him, it is easy to foresee that in the coming years it is unlikely that the day will come when the federal office will not have new tasks.
“But I declare with the same confidence that Germany will withstand this test. Because we are a country that keeps together, which has friends in Europe and partners around the world,” he said.
Mertz, who was elected Prime Minister in the Government formed between parties the Christian Union and the Social Democratic Party with the help of 325 deputies of the Bundestag, will preside at the first meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers at 22.00 local time.