After witnessing outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz hand over power to Friedrich Merz, DW's Berlin Bureau Chief Rosalia Romaniec said the two men showed "how exemplary things can go in German politics."

Despite their history of disagreement, the two leaders "treated each other with respect and appreciation" in a "very relieving moment on this difficult day."

Commenting on Merz's initial failure to secure votes, Romaniec said there is now hope that "he and his closest coalition partners have learned from that."

"Perhaps they will deal with power with a little more humility and fewer tough announcements," she said.

"Now, it's time to look ahead again. Tomorrow, Merz will embark on his first trips abroad, to Paris and Warsaw. He wants to strengthen this Paris-Berlin-Warsaw axis, the so-called 'Weimar Triangle,' and thus bring new momentum to Europe. After all, there is no shortage of common challenges. In the end, as chancellor, he will be judged much more by those than by his dramatic first day."