This time, after 16 years, the post-Merkel era is upon us. Social Democratic leader Olaf Scholz taking the mantle to form Germany's first three-party coalition since the 1950s. How will it work? How compatible are the Greens to his left and the liberal FDP to his right? Berlin's loosening or tightening of the purse strings in these uncertain times is sure to dictate the tone at home and in Brussels.

Will Europe be weaker or stronger amid Covid and spiking tensions to the East. Already, there is an almighty argument brewing over energy transition and in particular whether to open the tap on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. What exactly made this coalition deal possible?

As always, there is what the Germans put in writing and there is the art of governing as it now unfolds. How different or similar will Scholz be to Merkel and just how much of a new direction will it be?

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