Olaf Scholz elected as Germany's new chancellor, replacing Angela Merkel

Olaf Scholz elected as Germany's new chancellor, replacing Angela Merkel.

Germany's parliament has elected Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as the country's new chancellor, ending 16 years of conservative rule under Angela Merkel.

Mr Scholz, 63, who served as vice-chancellor and finance minister in Ms Merkel's outgoing government, got a clear majority of 395 votes from politicians in the Bundestag.

The government also plans to increase Germany's minimum wage to 12 euros ($18.97) per hour from the current 9.60 euros, which Mr Scholz says "means a wage increase for 10 million".

Mr Scholz has signalled continuity in foreign policy, saying the government would stand up for a strong European Union and nurture the trans-Atlantic alliance.