PHOTO COLLECTION: Germany New Chancellor

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PHOTO COLLECTION: Germany New Chancellor

2025-05-07 07:10 Last Updated At：07:21

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

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Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, center, and members of the new cabinet pose for a group photo after the first government cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, 6th from left, and members of the new cabinet attend the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, center, and members of the new cabinet pose for a group photo after the first government cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz, center, Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union left, and CDU faction leader Thorsten Frei, right, are pictured after Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Chancellor Friedrich Merz sits on the government bench after taking the oath of office at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz hugs Alexander Dobrindt from the CSU after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz takes the oath of office in front of Parliament President Julia Kloeckner after being elected new Chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz takes the oath of office in front of Parliament President Julia Kloeckner after being elected new Chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025..(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is congratulated by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is applauded after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz waits for the beginning of a session where he is supposed to be elected new Chancellor in the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz, center, Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union left, and CDU faction leader Thorsten Frei, right, are pictured after Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, right, talks to outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

AfD leader Alice Weidel gestures in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz, center, reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The government bench is empty when Friedrich Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts after Friedrich Merz was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz, left, reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, 2nd right, reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz casts his vote during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, right, CDU faction leader Jens Spahn, centre and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil stand together n the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz waits for the beginning of a session where he is supposed to be elected new Chancellor in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz arrives at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz casts his vote during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Charlotte Merz, centre, wife of Chancellor-designate Merz, and her daughters Carola Clüsener, left, and Constanze Merz during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Lawmakers wait for the beginning of a session were Friedrich Merz is supposed to be elected new chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

AfD leader Alice Weidel gestures in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

More Images

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, center, and members of the new cabinet pose for a group photo after the first government cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, 6th from left, and members of the new cabinet attend the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the first cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Newly-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, center, and members of the new cabinet pose for a group photo after the first government cabinet meeting, at the chancellery in Berlin, late Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz, center, Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union left, and CDU faction leader Thorsten Frei, right, are pictured after Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Chancellor Friedrich Merz sits on the government bench after taking the oath of office at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz hugs Alexander Dobrindt from the CSU after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz takes the oath of office in front of Parliament President Julia Kloeckner after being elected new Chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz takes the oath of office in front of Parliament President Julia Kloeckner after being elected new Chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025..(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is congratulated by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz is applauded after being elected new chancellor at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz waits for the beginning of a session where he is supposed to be elected new Chancellor in the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Leader of the Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz, center, Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union left, and CDU faction leader Thorsten Frei, right, are pictured after Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he failed to be elected new chancellor in the first voting process at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, right, talks to outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

AfD leader Alice Weidel gestures in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz, center, reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The government bench is empty when Friedrich Metz fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts after Friedrich Merz was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz, left, reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, 2nd right, reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz casts his vote during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz, right, CDU faction leader Jens Spahn, centre and SPD leader Lars Klingbeil stand together n the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz waits for the beginning of a session where he is supposed to be elected new Chancellor in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz arrives at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz casts his vote during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Charlotte Merz, centre, wife of Chancellor-designate Merz, and her daughters Carola Clüsener, left, and Constanze Merz during the election of a new Chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Lawmakers wait for the beginning of a session were Friedrich Merz is supposed to be elected new chancellor at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

AfD leader Alice Weidel gestures in the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Friedrich Merz reacts after he fell short of votes need to be chancellor in first round vote at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Friedrich Merz walks in the plenary after he was not elected new Chancellor in the first voting process at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Republican Tom Kean Jr. reveals depression diagnosis after his four-month absence from Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. disclosed Tuesday that he was being treated for depression during his unexplained four-month absence from the House, suggesting in a brief floor speech that he remained silent about his condition until now because he is a “private person by nature.”

Depression, Kean said, “is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.”

Kean’s reappearance came weeks after his victory in an uncontested primary on June 2 and months after he last cast his vote in the House. His speech ended the silence on his condition, yet left questions unanswered. Kean said he first entered the hospital due to health concerns and underwent testing, but offered no further details.

After the speech, Kean left the Capitol quickly without answering questions from reporters.

Kean last voted in the House on March 5. His absence had complicated matters for House Republican leaders, who have been struggling to pass bills with their threadbare majority.

Kean said he was diagnosed for depression and that doctors recommended he remain in the hospital. Addressing his earlier statement that he expected to return to work in a matter of weeks, Kean said he believed that at the time and it was his doctors’ best estimate then.

“But as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover there is no timeline for healing," Kean said.

“Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love."

A second-term lawmaker and scion of a New Jersey political family, Kean represents a battleground district that includes President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would leave it to Kean to decide whether his remarks Tuesday provided sufficient transparency.

“He spoke to it," Johnson said. “It’s his personal issue, and, you know, I thought the speech on the floor was, well, I thought he explained it.”

Johnson said he had “encouraged him all along to be as transparent as possible” and was “glad he finally has” been.

The mystery over Kean's absence had potential political implications, given the competitive district he represents and the Republican Party's narrow control of the House. His office has said he is still running for reelection and is set to face Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, in New Jersey's most high-profile contest in November.

Democrats have targeted the district as a prime pickup opportunity, given that the seat has changed hands in the last two midterm elections. Kean won in 2022 by defeating Democrat Tom Malinowski, who had defeated Republican Leonard Lance in 2018.

Johnson added Tuesday he is confident Kean would be “easily” reelected in November. Trump has endorsed Kean’s reelection, without mentioning his absence.

Kean comes from a long line of public servants, stretching 250 years to the country’s founding when one of his ancestors became New Jersey’s first leader since independence.

Kean's great-grandfather was a senator, his grandfather was a congressman and his father is the former two-term governor, Tom Kean Sr.

Lawmakers vary in how transparent they are about extended absences.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history, was hospitalized more than two weeks ago, and his office has released few details about his condition since.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat, checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for clinical depression weeks after being sworn into office in 2023. Fetterman, who has dealt with the effects of a stroke he suffered in May 2022, disclosed the hospitalization the day after he was admitted.

Fetterman has talked openly about his struggle with depression and urged people to get help.

“There are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties," Fetterman said in 2023 after a six-week inpatient treatment. “If you need help, please get help,.”

Kean and House Republican leaders kept the public in the dark about his condition for months. He missed more than 100 House votes this year and was not seen publicly in Washington or his district.

New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat who has spoken openly about living with depression, wrote on social media after Kean's remarks that he has “deep sympathy for anyone struggling with mental illness.”

“At the same time, public office carries a duty of transparency," Torres wrote. “When a public official is absent for an extended period, the public has a right to an honest explanation.”

Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.