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epa09547508 (L-R) Acting German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Mueller, acting German Minister of Environment Svenja Schulze, acting German Minister of Economy and Energy Peter Altmaier, acting German Health Minister Jens Spahn, acting German Minister of Interior, Construction and Homeland Horst Seehofer, acting German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, acting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, acting German Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, acting German Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Kloeckner, acting German Minister of Finance and Social Democratic Party (SPD) top candidate for the federal elections Olaf Scholz, acting German Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Andreas Scheuer, acting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, acting German Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek, acting German Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht and acting German Chancellery Minister Helge Braun pose after having received their certificates of discharge at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, 26 October 2021. Following the 26 September 2021 elections, Merkel and ministers of the government cabinet will receive their certificates of discharge but will continue to hold their offices on an acting basis until a new government is finally formed. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN