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Germany in 2021: A year in review

The Angela Merkel era ended this year. The longtime chancellor didn't run in Germany's elections, and Olaf Scholz took over. The transfer of power was not only peaceful: It was seamless, and praised around the world. DW looks at how it happened.

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BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds his certificate of appointment at Bellevue palace on December 8, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. The new German federal government, a coalition of German Social Democrats (SPD), Greens Party and German Free Democrats (FDP), is being sworn in today with Olaf Scholz as new chancellor and replacing the outgoing government of Angela Merkel. (Photo by Emmanuele Contini/Getty Images)

A new era as Olaf Scholz takes office as German chancellor 08.12.2021

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07.12.2021+++ (vorne v.l.) Saskia Esken (SPD), Olaf Scholz (SPD), Christian Lindner (FDP), Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Annalena Baerbock (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), bei der Unterzeichnung des Koalitionsvertrages von SPD, Grünen und FDP zur Bildung einer Bundesregierung. +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Germany's incoming government signs coalition deal 07.12.2021

+++ Achtung SPERRFRIST 7.11. 18h ++++ DW Interview mit Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel am 5.11.2021 im Bundeskanzleramt, Berlin.

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces major test in Germany's largest state 13.05.2022

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German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz gives a keynote speech during the Japan-Germany Business Dialogue in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo on April 28, 2022.( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )

German state election leaves Chancellor Scholz reeling 16.05.2022

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Germany: Scholz's party defeated in bellwether North Rhine-Westphalia election 15.05.2022

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Opinion: Chancellor Olaf Scholz finds clear words on Ukraine 09.05.2022

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