The EU’s new honorary award was intended to symbolize the union’s faith in the future and shared values. However, when the medals were handed out at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the ceremony was marked more by nostalgia and retrospection than by visions of the future.

The European Union’s new merit medal was established last year in connection with the 75th anniversary of the so-called Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for what is today’s EU.

The purpose of the award is to highlight individuals who are said to have contributed to European cohesion.

In a time of :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: uncertainty, the aim is to reaffirm shared values by honoring individuals who defend peace, democracy, and human dignity.

– EU’s website

Among this year’s recipients was also Germany’s former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has become strongly associated with the EU’s migration policy during the refugee crisis of 2015. Merkel gained international attention for her message “Wir schaffen das” – “we can do it” – in connection to the mass immigration.

The awards were presented by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who previously served as a minister in Angela Merkel’s government, was also present to congratulate her former boss.

A total of 20 recipients were selected, but several of the more contemporary figures were absent from the ceremony. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was awarded the order’s highest distinction, did not attend in person.

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Angela Merkel gave a speech in which she expressed concern about developments in today’s Europe and stated that the union is far from the promises of peace, economic prosperity, and democracy that once formed the basis of the cooperation.

Watch Angela Merkel’s speech here:

SD held a protest

In connection with Angela Merkel receiving the medal, Sweden Democrats’ MEP Charlie Weimers, along with several other politicians, conducted a protest action.

“Angela Merkel should not be rewarded with taxpayer-funded medals,” the party declared.