Farewell, Mutti: Tearful Angela Merkel waves goodbye as her 16-year reign as German chancellor ends and parliament elects Olaf Scholz as her successor Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure as German Chancellor ended today with the election of successor Olaf Scholz Parliament voted 395-303 to elect Scholz, SPD leader who led the party to victory in September's election Scholz then took the oath of offic..