Olaf Scholz: Germany's Slow But Steady Next Chancellor

Often described as austere and even robotic, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz nonetheless managed to inspire German voters in this year's election with a campaign that played on his reputation as a safe pair of hands. Scholz, 63, is on the brink of becoming the next German chancellor after leading his party to a surprise victory in September's vote, relieving Angela Merkel of her duties after 16 years. Together with the leaders of the ecologist Greens and the liberal FDP, he unveiled a deal for Germany's next coalition on Wednesday. The Social Democrats (SPD) had begun the election campaign at rock bottom in the polls, with many completely writing off Scholz's chances of becoming chancellor -- so much so that he doesn't even have an official biography. Olaf Scholz staged an upset poll win by positioning himself as the best candidate to continue Angela Merkel's legacy as German chancellor Photo: AFP / Odd ANDERSEN But Scholz managed to stage a stunning upset by positioning himself as the best candidate to continue Merkel's legacy, even adopting her famous "rhombus" hand gesture on a magazine cover.