The challenges facing Olaf Scholz as Germany’s chancellor

TEN YEARSSPD ago Christoph Holstein received a summons to the office of . Mr Scholz had just led the Social Democrats () to a stunning election win in the city-state of Hamburg, and Mr Holstein was to be his government spokesman. Mr Scholz offered two pieces of guidance: “We are never offended, and we are never hysterical.” Mr Holstein, now on Hamburg’s state council, found the advice so useful that it remains pinned up in his office under the words: “Scholz’s first law”. Germans and others who learned to appreciate the calm demeanour of Angela Merkel during her 16 years in office will find reassurance in Mr Scholz, who replaced her as German chancellor on December 8th.