President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is currently serving his second and final term, which is set to end in March 2027.
Former German chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to testify at an inquiry into the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea on Friday.
Ms Merkel and Mr Merz, both members of the Christian Democrats, fell out after Ms Merkel gained the party leadership in 2002.
Angela Merkel was the first woman to be German chancellor.
Former German chancellor Angela Merkel will be honoured with Germany’s Order of Merit with a special design on Monday, to be presented by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Unusual for Mr Scholz to choose Japan as his first travel destination… His predecessors…went to China first.
Nigeria’s first couple, President Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha Buhari, set the tone for an awkward commemoration of women’s day.
Ms Merkel was in office as German chancellor in 2014 when Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.
“Avoid travel to Germany. If you must travel to Germany, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel,” it stated.
The German government approved the export of $4.5 billion worth of armaments in the first 10 months of 2021, says the Economic Affairs Ministry data.
