Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the European Order of Merit on 19 May 2026 during a ceremony held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The distinction recognized her contributions to European integration and her political legacy, particularly in the context of EU values and security policy. Merkel used the occasion to deliver a speech warning that Europe could no longer rely on traditional security certainties, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifts in U.S. security policy as key challenges .
The award ceremony, which honored the first recipients of the European Order of Merit, took place in Strasbourg’s plenary chamber. Merkel was among 20 laureates, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, recognized for their roles in advancing European unity and democratic values. Only 13 of the recipients attended in person .
The event was marked by political tensions, as members of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party boycotted the ceremony, staging a protest outside the plenary hall. Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa and ex-Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek, who also received the award, attended despite the boycott. Wałęsa later commented on the PiS protest, emphasizing his commitment to independent political action . Observers noted that the ceremony largely celebrated established figures, with few new faces among the honorees .
> Background: **EU honors 20 leaders and artists with first European Order of Merit.** — *12 hours ago*
Lech Wałęsa reaguje na bojkot europosłów PiS. Współczuję Były prezydent Polski Lech Wałęsa zareagował na zachowanie europosłów PiS podczas ceremonii wręczenia Europejskich Orderów Zasługi w Parlamencie Europejskim. - Chodziłem własnymi drogami i będę chodził dalej - podkreślił.
gazeta.pl · about 21 hours ago
Când se vopsesc ouăle roșii de Înălțarea Domnului. Ce se împarte pe 21 mai Marea sărbătoare creștină Înălțarea Domnului și sărbătoarea Sfinților Constantin și Elena coincid în acest an, fiind celebrate în 21 mai. Este de asemenea ziua pomenirii eroilor neamului. În popor se păstrează o seamă de tradiții legate de momentul când se vopsesc ouăle și de împărțitul bucatelor.
adevarul · about 24 hours ago
Giannis Antetokounmpo European Order of Merit
gdeltproject.org · 1 day ago
EU Order of Merit celebrates the same old memories and few fresh faces The European Order of Merit conferral ceremony came off as a celebration of the past with little hope for the future. Merkel was among those awarded.
euronews · 1 day ago
Merkel warns Europe can no longer rely on old security certainties Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the European Order of Merit on Tuesday. Merkel warned that Europe could no longer take peace and security for granted following Russias invasion of Ukraine. She also said changes in US security policy showed old certainties were fading.
euronews · 1 day ago
Fotografin Germaine Krull: Eine Protagonistin der fotografischen Avantgarde Eine Ausstellung im Stadtmuseum und im Kunstverein in Wetzlar würdigt Leben und Werk der Avantgarde-Fotografin Germaine Krull. Nach Stationen in Russland, Paris und Bangkok verbrachte sie ihre letzten Lebensjahre in Mittelhessen.
faz · 1 day ago
Wałęsa i Buzek odznaczeni w PE. Europosłowie PiS zbojkotowali uroczystość. Chodzi o Merkel Były prezydent RP Lech Wałęsa i były premier Jerzy Buzek odebrali w Strasburgu Europejskie Ordery Zasługi za działania na rzecz integracji. Podczas uroczystości zabrakło europosłów prawicy, którzy przed salą plenarną zorganizowali pikietę.
gazeta.pl · 1 day ago
The award ceremony for the first recipients of the European Order of Merit takes place in Strasbourg Brussels – The first recipients of the European Order of Merit were honoured today (19 May) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, for their contribution to European integration and EU values at a ceremony at the European Parliament. Thirteen of the twenty recipients of the European Order of Merit attended the ceremony in the chamber, addressing […]
eunews.it · 1 day ago
Merkel, Zelensky among first recipients of European Order of Merit
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Discursul Maiei Sandu în Parlamentul European, întrerupt de Cristian Rizea. Președinta R. Moldova a fost decorată cu Ordinul European de Merit Președinta Republicii Moldova, Maia Sandu, a fost decorată cu Ordinul European de Merit, în cadrul unei ceremonii desfășurate în plenul Parlamentului European. Discursul ei a fost, însă, întrerupt de fostul deputat PSD Cristian Rizea.
adevarul · 1 day ago
Ukraine-Krieg: Merkel empfiehlt der EU Merkel-Politik Die ehemalige Bundeskanzlerin erhält den Europäischen Verdienstorden für ihr politisches Lebenswerk. Nebenbei gibt sie Ratschläge für den Umgang mit Wladimir Putin.
sueddeutsche · 1 day ago