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New elected German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds his letter of appointment presented by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier 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 Germany and combating climate change but faces the immediate challenge of handling the countryâÄ™s toughest phase yet of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)