Many countries were watching developments in Germany, where coalition talks are under way, and wanted to be sure that they could rely on the next government under a probable chancellor Scholz, the SPD politician said in Rome on Friday.

“And for that reason, the fact that the chancellor and I are able to speak jointly with other countries and assure them that they can all continue to rely on Germany and its role as a country that contributes to the world cooperating, is a good signal of continuity,” Scholz said.

Merkel, as chancellor, and Scholz, as finance minister, are currently representing a caretaker German government that will remain in power until a coalition deal is struck and then approved by the German parliament.

At the Rome G20, they are attending meetings with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. China’s President Xi Jinping is to participate via video link. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will also not be present.

The SPD is currently engaged in coalition talks with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) which, if successful, are likely to lead to Scholz being sworn in as the next chancellor.