Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received Germany’s highest Order of Merit. The Grand Cross award was handed to her by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The award has only been given twice before, to former chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl. All three former leaders belong to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Germany’s highest Order of Merit is known as the Federal Cross of Merit, or Bundesverdienstkreuz in German. It is awarded by the President of Germany to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s cultural, economic, or political life, or have provided outstanding service to society. The Order of Merit was established in 1951, and is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in Germany. There are eight classes of the Order of Merit, with the highest being the Grand Cross, followed by the First Class Cross, Second Class Cross, and so on. The award is not restricted to German citizens and is frequently bestowed upon foreigners who have contributed to Germany’s social, political, or cultural development.
No comments:
Post a Comment