The world this week -- PoliticsOlaf Scholz was sworn in as chancellor of Germany, ending the 16-year tenure of Angela Merkel.Mr Scholz, a Social Democrat, leads a three-party coalition, Germany’s first since the 1950s, which includes the Greens and the pro-enterprise Free Democrats.The parties have approved a detailed plan for governing, which includes a higher minimum wage and building more homes.First, however, they must contend with a fourth wave of covid-19.Austria’s chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, resigned after less than two months in the job.The new chancellor, Karl Nehammer, now has the job of enforcing a controversial vaccine mandate that covers all Austrians.Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin held a two-hour video conference to discuss a huge build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine.Mr Biden vowed to impose robust economic sanctions if Russia were to invade Ukraine again.These might include blocking Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.Mr Biden is highly unlikely to send American troops to defend Ukraine, but may offer more cash, arms and training.Mr Putin has hinted that he thinks Ukraine should be part of Russia.
