Olaf Scholz’s swearing in as Germany’s chancellor followed well-practiced tradition — with one exception: Unlike most of his eight postwar predecessors, Mr. Scholz took God out of his oath.
When Mr. Scholz omitted the final four words — “so help me God” — of the traditional oath, it was rare for a new German chancellor.
The oath for an incoming chancellor, as laid out in article 56 of Germany’s Constitution, reads as follows: “I swear that I will dedicate my strength to the good of the German people, that I will enhance their prosperity, avert harm from them, respect and defend the Constitution and the laws of the federal state, fulfill my duty conscientiously and exercise justice toward everyone. So help me God.”
