The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, received an award recognizing her contributions to European unity at a ceremony held in the German town of Aachen. Here are the top news updates from Germany.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who holds German citizenship, was awarded the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, a city located in western Germany. The event also saw the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Charlemagne Prize honors people who have contributed to fostering European unification.
The event takes place as Germany observes a public holiday on Thursday, known as Ascension Day.
Here are the most recent news updates from Germany for Thursday, May 29:
von der Leyen receives Charlemagne Prize, calls for an ‘independent Europe’
Following Merz’s address, von der Leyen received the Charlemagne Prize.
Shortly after, von der Leyen delivered a speech on what Europe represents for her and her perspective on the path ahead for the continent’s future.
von der Leyen encouraged the construction of an “independent Europe.”
“Europe’s next major undertaking should focus on establishing an autonomous continent,” von der Leyen stated.
She explained that this isn’t limited to EU member states alone but includes all nations on the continent, including those located in the western Balkans.
Merz praises von der Leyen, upholds European Union principles
At the Charlemagne Prize event in Aachen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz honored European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen upon her receipt of the accolade. He expressed his gratitude towards von der Leyen for offering a distinctively “European perspective” on the global stage.
In his address, Merz fiercely defended the principles and values of the European Union amid difficulties caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine and conflicts with U.S. President Donald Trump’s government.
Merz stated that Europe embodies the belief that freedom and democracy are worthy of support.
He referred to the European Union as a “European peace initiative,” stating that it needs to be robust both within its borders and beyond them.
He stated that Europe needs to be so powerful “that it can reinstate peace on our continent and ensure freedom for the future.”
Merz stated that Germany will keep backing Ukraine through military support as well as economic and political assistance.
The German leader stated that Germany is prepared to take “significant” steps during the upcoming NATO meeting in June to enhance security in Europe and fortify the trans-Atlantic partnership with the United States.
Germany marks Ascension Day
On Thursday, Germany is observing a public holiday called Ascension Day, also referred to as
Christi Himmelfahrt
.
The feast of Ascension Day is observed as a way to remember the Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ rose to heaven. This celebration usually takes place 40 days following Easter Sunday.
As it is a public holiday, stores, supermarkets, governmental institutions, and educational facilities will be shut down across Germany.
However, certain cafes and eateries might still be open for Germans looking to pass the time during their days off. Additionally, grocery outlets at train stations and airports, as well as fuel station mini-marts, will remain accessible should anyone require additional supplies for their home.
Ascension Day is among the nine official public holidays observed across all 16 of Germany’s federal states.
Länder
).
Certain regions within the country observe specific holidays unique to their area. These celebrations often reflect the dominant Christian denomination present in those particular sections of the nation.
For instance, the predominantly Catholic regions of Germany such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland observe All Saints’ Day (
Allerheiligen
It will be observed on November 1 as a public holiday. However, states with a significant Protestant population like Hamburg do not recognize this day as a public holiday.
Some holidays are observed exclusively in a single German state.
For instance, the Protestant-observed Day of Repentance and Prayer (
Buß- und Bettag
It is only remembered in the eastern German state of Saxony.
Meanwhile, the eastern German state of Thuringia remains the sole region in the nation observing Children’s Day as a public holiday on September 20.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will receive the Charlemagne Prize.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is set to receive the Charlemagne Prize at an award ceremony in Aachen, a western German town close to both Belgium and the Netherlands.
The awards ceremony in Aachen City Hall is anticipated to draw hundreds of attendees, featuring prominent figures such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and ex-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
According to its website, the Charlemagne Prize is awarded to “individuals or institutions for their contributions to Europe and European unification.”
What is the reason for von der Leyen being awarded the Charlemagne Prize?
At 66 years old, Von der Leyen is being praised for her crucial part in maintaining a unified, dependable, and proactive Europe, according to the organization presenting the award.
von der Leyen, a German who spent a significant part of her youth in Belgium, assumed the position of European Commission president in 2019.
She has led the European Commission through challenging periods, particularly the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
von der Leyen also assumed several cabinet positions during Angela Merkel’s tenure as Germany’s Chancellor. Notably, she was serving as Germany’s Minister of Defense from December 2013 until July 2019.
Von der Leyen’s career not without controversy
Despite being praised for her initiatives toward advancing European cohesion, von der Leyen has found herself embroiled in multiple controversies throughout her political tenure.
Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice determined that it was incorrect for von der Leyen and the European Commission to prevent the New York Times from accessing the private messages exchanged between her and Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla.
The text messages under scrutiny date back to 2021, during which time the EU attempted to secure supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine from a U.S.-based pharmaceutical firm.
von der Leyen has faced criticism regarding the allocation of specific profitable contracts without proper supervision during her term as Germany’s defense minister. Legislators within the German parliament, known as the Bundestag, have also held Von der Leyen responsible for failing to enhance the operational capability of the German armed forces when she was at the helm as the head of defense.
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Guten Tag
From the online newsroom based in Bonn, situated in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
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