What you need to know about Germany's new chancellor and coalition government

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/08/ [login to see] /germany-new-chancellor-olaf-scholz-coalition-government
Olaf Scholz is scheduled to be sworn in as Germany's chancellor on Wednesday, marking the end of Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure.

Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party, which won the most votes in September's federal election, will govern along with the Greens and the libertarian Free Democratic Party.

In recent days, each party has approved a coalition agreement that lays out government objectives, including raising the minimum wage to 12 euros/hour ($13.50), phasing out coal-fired power plants by 2030 and a pledge for the country to go carbon neutral by 2045. And Scholz has announced members of cabinet that include politicians from the three parties.

Here are some of the keys to understanding the transition underway in this major European power.