Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel received broad recognition from the country’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at a formal ceremony that highlighted a career marked by steady leadership and long-standing service. The Great Merit Medal, Germany’s highest civilian honor awarded to a politician, was conferred in her presence and in her absence from the national stage at that moment, reflecting the ceremonial balance between celebration and reflection. The occasion brought together a mix of political figures, scholars, and trusted colleagues who have stood by Merkel across years of public life.
Steinmeier, who previously served as Merkel’s foreign minister before her presidency, has himself held the role of head of state during this period. The event also featured Olaf Scholz, Merkel’s immediate successor in the political leadership chain, and Ursula von der Leyen, who held prominent offices on the European stage. Various members of Merkel’s wider circle appeared, including individuals from outside formal politics such as former football coach Jurgen Klinsmann, along with family members and colleagues from the scientific community. Merkel’s husband, Joachim Sauer, a professor of chemistry, remains a steadfast presence in her orbit.
The absence of the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from the ceremony drew as much attention as the participants themselves. Friedrich Merz, who has led the party since Merkel’s long tenure ended, was notably absent, underscoring the evolving dynamics within the party and its post-Merkel leadership. The event highlighted the transition within the CDU from Merkel’s era to the current generation of leadership, and the ongoing dialogue about political direction in Germany.
Steinmeier used the occasion to extoll Merkel’s merits and political achievements, recalling her role in guiding Europe through successive crises and her capacity for pragmatism and consensus. He spoke about Merkel’s grounded judgment, her humility, and her talent for building coalitions across the political spectrum. The president began the ceremony with a brief remark, acknowledging the presence of Scholz and others who had worked closely with Merkel over the years.
The proceedings were restrained in tone, befitting the order of merit awarded. While the Great Merit Medal stands as Germany’s pinnacle honor for a statesperson, there exists a higher order known as the Grand Cross. Attainment of that rank confers automatic recognition by the presidency, making subsequent distinctions less central to the narrative. Historically, the Great Merit Medal has been awarded to a small circle of leaders, with Conrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl among the early recipients; Merkel’s inclusion places her alongside those figures in a select lineage. The awarding tradition provides a lens into Germany’s appreciation of steady, service-oriented leadership across different eras.
a more intimate ceremony
The Bellevue Palace ceremony carried a quiet, intimate character, expanding beyond a simple list of attendees. About two dozen guests participated, including several former ministerial colleagues who stood out for their long-standing involvement in Merkel’s governance. Among them were the former foreign affairs chief Helge Brown and the former interior minister Thomas de Maiziere, both deeply connected to Merkel’s years in power. A small group of trusted advisors and secretaries, such as Eva Christiansen and Beate Baumann, contributed to the support system that helped steer government work. Another longtime voice behind the scenes was Steffen Seibert, Merkel’s former government spokesperson, whose presence underscored the continuity of communication philosophy during her tenure.
Beyond these familiar names, the event drew attention to Merkel’s notable absence of a once-powerful political rival, expressed through a retrospective remark about the CDU’s internal dynamics. The reference to Merz, who challenged Merkel during the party’s 2000 leadership transition and helped shape a period of centrist reform, underscored the shifting currents within the German center-right. Observers noted that the period since Merkel’s stepping back from frontline politics has left a more diffuse centrist space within the CDU, inviting ongoing discussion about the party’s future direction and its role in European politics. It is a moment that many see as reflective of broader transitions in Germany’s political landscape, where leadership continuity and renewal coexist with a remembered era of Merkel’s influence. [Citation]