Friedrich Merz praises European Unity at the 2025 Charlemagne Prize
Ursula von der Leyen receives the award in Aachen
June 02nd, 2025
During the 2025 Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted Ursula von der Leyen as a symbol of European leadership. In his speech, Merz paid tribute to the European Commission president’s commitment to unity, security, and the EU’s global role.
The Charlemagne Prize ceremony took place in the historic Coronation Hall of Aachen’s Town Hall, on May 29, coinciding with Ascension Day, as tradition dictates. Ursula von der Leyen was honored for her strong leadership at the helm of the European Commission and her ability to address crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the challenges of energy and digital transitions.
In his speech, Friedrich Merz praised von der Leyen’s career and described her as a “convinced European” and “the face of Europe” in times of global uncertainty. He emphasized that her work has helped strengthen the European Union’s role as a global actor, defending shared values and promoting collective security.
Merz also stressed the need to deepen European integration to face external threats and protect democracy from within. Against populist and nationalist rhetoric, the Chancellor urged member states to work together for a stronger Europe, both internally and on the international stage.
Merz’s speech during the Charlemagne Prize ceremony reinforces the event’s core message: in an increasingly fragmented world, European leadership must be built on unity, responsibility, and joint action. In the Chancellor’s words, “Ursula von der Leyen is a strong representative of a strong Europe.”
References:
- https://www.bundeskanzler.de/bk-de/aktuelles/karlspreis-von-der-leyen-2351000 https://www.bundeskanzler.de/bk-de/aktuelles/karlspreis-von-der-leyen-2351000
