(GermanPolicy.com) – The Federal Chancellor and the members of the Federal Government have received certificates of discharge from Federal President Steinmeier. However, the government will remain in office until a new head of government is elected by the German Bundestag – probably at the beginning of December.

Steinmeier praised Merkel’s historical and formative role, which had conveyed security and commitment in 16 years. Merkel has gained trust and international respect – both in the economic crisis in the first term, the Euro crisis in the second, the migration crisis in the third, and the Corona crisis in the fourth term, Steinmeier said, adding that the Merkel governments had ensured that polarization and provocation did not prevail. An caretaker government is only allowed to carry out day-to-day business, not to take entirely new political directions.