Yes and no.
Modern german society can change dramatically, sometimes even over night. Please do not forget that this was a divided country, not that long ago. With two completely, different political systems.
Fact is that Merkel is leaving behind a new kind of power vacuum. Not matter how people vote, Merkel will be gone. The pandemic, climate change, Afghanistan and the flooding reminded people that change is needed and the post-merkel vacuum allows that to happen. It gives the German society the change to re-orientate, take a deeper look into set mechanics.
From my German view, I do not understand the Scholz is copying Merkel view that I often find in foreign press. Scholz was always calm and rational, it's literally who he is. This new, German republic is only 72 years old now and for 52 years it was ruled by CDU. SPD leading, even in the 60+ age group marks a huge shift. Greens even being able to have a Kanzlerkandidat is also huge. There never were three chancellor-candidates before. Imagine the u.s. having suddenly a third party...
With all respect to Merkel, and to her achievements on the global scale. Her domestic policy was always very conservative, anti unions, her liberalisation of the banking system allowed for the crashes we had a couple years ago to happen in the first place, she abstained from voting pro same-gender marriage (while here party mostly voted against it) etc.
Boring topics, but important topics to understand that there are significant differences in how SPD and CDU view certain things. I've read an article recently about German bankers complaining about no longer being competitive on the global market. Because they are too restricted. SPD is clearly saying that they won't change anything mayor, especially not after the lessons learned from the mentioned bankcrash, while CDU and FDP are open for deregulating banks again.
Calling Scholz and Merkel similar is unfair, when there are fundamental, important differences. But those differences are not emotional or accompanied by big words.
SPD and CDU certainly adjusted to each other over the last 12 years. But they are very different in nature. SPD is the oldest party this country has, they already fought for worker rights during the German imperial ages and the emperor even baned them, they openly fought the nazis etc. While the CDU roots are set in the Zentrum Partei... Not so cool guys if you ask me. The difference in founding DNA is still noticeable.
As you said, the older generation may be afraid of the greens. Though I have meet many of them supporting the ideas, because they want a good future for their own children and their grandkids. And even they are swaying away from CDU, which is targeting them like crazy. Armin Laschet described himself as being steadfast against the wind of change.
Germany is boring, but the wind of change is there. It's just not accompanied by fireworks, loud music and grand gestures. We learned to avoid those.
And from my, boring German pov: Other nations should maybe start avoiding emotions during elections as well.
edit:
and about the Greens ruling in local governments. They are also ruling the second richest German state: baden württemberg.
Though some people will correct me that BW-Greens are not usual greens.
