The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has been awarded this year’s Charlemagne Prize, which recognizes individuals who uphold and promote European ideals as Europe’s premier accolade.
During the awards event in Aachen on Tuesday, the head of the European Union administration highlighted key objectives for Europe in the coming years. They stressed the significance of ensuring peace via defense measures, progressing with the EU’s expansion, and protecting democratic principles while bolstering Europe’s strength and endurance.
“Dear friends, an autonomous Europe. I realize that for many this may be an unsettling statement. Nonetheless, fundamentally, this is all about safeguarding our liberty,” von der Leyen stated during her acceptance speech.
“Just as the people of Central and Eastern Europe have long understood, individual freedom can only be achieved with collective self-reliance,” she noted.
Collective duty to safeguard and defend European principles
The event was attended by several leaders and previous award recipients, such as Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spain’s King Felipe VI, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela, and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama.
At the event, among the elected officials present, only Merz chose to speak.
When discussing the critical geopolitical concerns confronting Europe, Merz asserted that Germany is “poised and ready” to contribute its share, working closely alongside other European nations to tackle upcoming challenges.
Merz stated that they are fully prepared and committed to contributing to Ukraine’s support and collaborating closely with their European neighbors.
“We will continue supporting Ukraine with everything we have, militarily, politically, and economically. Just yesterday, President Zelenskyy and I reinforced this commitment in Berlin,” he added.
He went on to stress that Europe was established with the purpose of serving its citizens. His cohort, who were among the first to experience life in a free, peaceful, and prosperous Europe, received this heritage from those who initiated European unity. This highlighted their collective duty to safeguard and preserve these principles for coming generations.
‘Celebration of political survival’
In the meantime, certain experts believe that more suitable contenders existed for the accolade compared to the head of the European Commission, considering their involvement in the operations of the EU’s 27-member group.
“If the purpose of the Charlemagne Prize is to acknowledge groundbreaking ideas and actions during these exceptional geopolitical moments for Europe, it ought to honor visionary and bold individuals rather than institutional representatives like von der Leyen,” stated Alberto Alemanno, an EU law professor from HEC Paris, to Euronews.
“From this perspective, the conferral of the prize to von der Leyen appears more a celebration of her political survival … than a recognition of a contribution to EU integration,” he added.
Since 1950, the International Charlemagne Prize has been conferred upon individuals or organizations for their contributions to Europe and fostering continental unity.
Over the past few years, the award has gone to prominent figures such as high-ranking politicians, activists, and entire communities. This includes individuals like Pinchas Goldschmidt, who served both as the former Chief Rabbi of Moscow and as the president of the Conference of European Rabbis for Jews across Europe; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy along with all Ukrainians; Belarusian opposition leaders Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava, and Veronika Tsepkalo; and Klaus Iohannis, the ex-president of Romania.
