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New elected German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, receives his letter of appointment by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right, during a reception at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. Scholz has become Germany's ninth post-World War II chancellor, opening a new era for the European UnionâÄ™s most populous nation and largest economy after Angela MerkelâÄ™s 16-year tenure. ScholzâÄ™s government takes office with high hopes of modernizing. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)