Angela Merkel receives Hermann Ehlers Prize in Kiel

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) was awarded the Hermann Ehlers Prize at a ceremony in Kiel. “At the head of the federal government, you gave weight and stability to our liberal democracy in a stable Europe,” said Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) in his laudatory speech.

"Today, when multilateralism is under enormous pressure and when international understanding seems increasingly difficult, the stability of the European Union is a real asset - and we owe much of this stability to your commitment, we owe your statesmanship." Günther praised Merkel as a great stateswoman, a convinced European and a long-time Chancellor “who led our country through many challenges.”

Merkel reminds us of Adenauer and Ehlers: building bridges

In her thanks, Merkel referred to the first Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Hermann Ehlers (both CDU), because they could give courage to be open to new developments, to address the people in the country who think every day about how to make Germany worth living in and build bridges. “You can have the very best politicians,” said Merkel. «If the people in the country don't feel the same way that we have to work for this state, for this democracy, then perhaps we won't make it. We need everyone to face the new challenges.”

The Hermann Ehlers Prize is awarded in memory of the former President of the German Bundestag, Hermann Ehlers. It honors personalities who have made outstanding contributions to the free-democratic basic order, the common good and the strengthening of parliamentary culture. The prize was first awarded in 1975.

Prize winners from Roman Herzog to Siegfried Lenz

The award winners include former Federal President Roman Herzog, former Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Gerhard Stoltenberg and former Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl. But personalities outside of politics are also represented, such as publisher Friede Springer or the writer and honorary citizen of Schleswig-Holstein Siegfried Lenz.