Now playing Next Germany Merz confirmed as Germany's CDU leader as party moves on from Merkel Some 95% of party delegates voted for Merz, already assured of leading the CDU after being backed by party members in December. 22/01/2022
Now playing Next Germany Germany shuts down three of its six nuclear power plants However, the full phase-out will not be over for a long time, as the post-operational phase and the gradual dismantling of the plants, under the responsibility of operators, is expected to take many more years. 31/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany Germany: Merkel's CDU party chooses conservative Merz as leader Members of Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union have chosen prominent conservative Friedrich Merz as party leader. 17/12/2021
Now playing Next Culture news Angela Merkel reportedly planning a political autobiography One of Germany's longest serving leaders has not yet made her future plans clear, but one close adviser says a book documenting her premiership's highs and lows is a priority. 10/12/2021
Now playing Next View Germany's foreign policy could be Scholz's biggest headache | View "Dramatic clashes inside the coalition about the direction of Germany’s foreign policy will be inevitable," writes Jacob F. Kirkegaard. 10/12/2021
Now playing Next The Cube 'Auf Wiedersehen Angela!' Merkel's best moments of 16 years in office The 67-year-old hasn't disclosed any future plans but said earlier this year that she will take time to "read and sleep" and "then let's see where I show up". 09/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany Bye-bye Angela: Six legacies that defined the Merkel era Already feeling nostalgic about the Merkel era? Here is a look at the key legacies that defined her 16-year chancellorship — and will likely outlive it. 08/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany The most striking pictures of Merkel's 16 years in power As the world remembers her 16 years in office, these are some of the most striking pictures of Merkel's time in power. 08/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany 'New era': Scholz becomes Germany's new chancellor as Merkel bows out Scholz, 63, has been Germany’s vice-chancellor and finance minister since 2018 and is a former mayor of Hamburg. 08/12/2021
Now playing Next Uncovering Europe Who is Olaf Scholz and what kind of leader will he be for Germany? He joined the Social Democrats at 17 but has been best-known for his ability to work with the CDU and Angela Merkel. 07/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany Olaf Scholz is one step closer to becoming Germany's new chancellor The SPD leader will be voted chancellor on Wednesday providing that Germany's Greens approve a coalition deal in a ballot on Monday. 06/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany Pomp and punk as Germany's Angela Merkel gets military tribute A song by East German-born punk singer Nina Hagen was among those requested by the outgoing Chancellor as she was treated to a traditional send-off. 02/12/2021
Now playing Next Europe News Greta Thunberg and Angela Merkel triumph at the Women of Europe Awards BioNTech founder Dr Özlem Türeci and grassroots activist Jenny Rasche were also recognised for their work. 02/12/2021
Now playing Next Germany Parties to reveal coalition deal they hope will propel them into power The centre-left Social Democrats have been negotiating with the Green party and the pro-business Free Democrats since narrowly winning a national election in September. 24/11/2021
Now playing Next Germany 'Grab it fast. I beg you': Merkel's jab plea amid record German cases "Now it (the vaccine) is here, and all we have to do is grab it," said Merkel. "Grab it fast. I beg you, join in and try to convince relatives and friends, too." 15/11/2021
Now playing Next Germany Merkel offers positive view of German handling of 2015 migrant crisis Looking back on her legacy, Merkel said the 2015 migrant crisis was one of the most challenging events during her time as German chancellor. 08/11/2021
Now playing Next no comment 'Thank you very much, dear Angela': Macron bids farewell to Merkel French President Emmanuel Macron hosts outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel for a valedictory visit as she bows out after 16 years in power. Merkel receives the Grand Cross, the highest distinction of the Legion d'Honneur, France's chief honour. 04/11/2021
Now playing Next France Macron piles on the praise during Merkel's farewell visit to France It was a case of "Au revoir, Angela" as Merkel made a farewell visit to France as German chancellor. 04/11/2021
Now playing Next France Macron to give Merkel highest French distinction on farewell visit Angela Merkel will leave politics after a new German government is formed, expected in December. 02/11/2021
Now playing Next Germany Angela Merkel in Greece for talks on last visit post-financial crisis Relations between Greece and Germany were often thorny during Merkel's tenure due to the financial crisis. 29/10/2021