The European Union will bestow its newly created Order of Merit on former German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week, a move widely interpreted as a symbolic nod to her steady leadership during a period of heightened transatlantic tension under Donald Trump. The award, announced by the European Council, aims to recognise individuals who have strengthened European unity and cooperation.
Merkel, who led Germany from 2005 to 2021, is being honoured for her role in navigating the bloc through multiple crises, including the eurozone debt crisis, the 2015 migration influx, and the turbulent years of the Trump presidency. During that time, she often acted as a counterweight to Washington's unilateralism, championing multilateralism and the rules-based international order.
A Legacy of Stability and Controversy
The decision to grant Merkel the first European Order of Merit has reignited debate about her complex legacy. Supporters point to her pragmatic crisis management and her ability to hold the EU together during the Greek debt saga and the Brexit negotiations. Critics, however, highlight the darker aspects of her tenure, such as the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which deepened Europe's energy dependence on Russia, and her handling of the 2015 migration crisis, which strained relations with several Central and Eastern European member states.
“Angela Merkel was the anchor of European stability in a stormy decade,” said a senior EU official speaking on condition of anonymity. “Her calm, methodical approach helped prevent the bloc from fracturing under immense pressure.” The official added that the award is also a subtle rebuke to the Trump administration's confrontational stance toward Europe, which often singled out Germany for criticism over trade imbalances and defence spending.
The timing of the award is notable. It comes as the EU faces renewed challenges from a potential second Trump presidency, with the former president having threatened tariffs on European goods and questioned NATO's value. By honouring Merkel, Brussels is signalling its preference for leaders who prioritise dialogue and institutional cohesion over transactional diplomacy.
Symbolism and Substance
The European Order of Merit is a new distinction, created in 2023 to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to European integration. Merkel is its first recipient, a choice that underscores her status as a defining figure of the EU's recent history. The award ceremony will take place in Brussels, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expected to deliver a keynote address.
Von der Leyen, a former German defence minister who served under Merkel, has often praised her predecessor's leadership style. “Angela Merkel embodied the spirit of compromise and resilience that Europe needs,” von der Leyen said in a recent statement. “Her legacy is a reminder that unity is our greatest strength.”
Yet the award is not without its critics. Some MEPs from Central and Eastern Europe have voiced reservations, citing Merkel's willingness to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin on energy deals. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was ultimately suspended after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, remains a sore point. “We cannot forget that her policies contributed to Europe's energy vulnerability,” said a Polish diplomat. “This award risks whitewashing a more complicated record.”
Merkel herself has remained largely out of the public eye since leaving office, focusing on her memoirs and occasional academic engagements. She has not commented on the award, but her office confirmed she will attend the ceremony.
The honour also reflects a broader European desire to project stability in an increasingly volatile global landscape. With the war in Ukraine grinding on, tensions with China over trade and technology, and the possibility of a more isolationist US under Trump, the EU is keen to celebrate figures who embody its founding principles of cooperation and rule of law.
As the bloc grapples with internal divisions over migration, climate policy, and enlargement, Merkel's legacy offers both lessons and warnings. Her ability to forge consensus among 27 member states was often her greatest asset, but it also led to compromises that some now view as short-sighted. The European Order of Merit may be a tribute to her tenure, but it also serves as a mirror for the challenges Europe still faces.
