Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was received with applause in the European Parliament in Strasbourg in France, on Tuesday (May 19), as she was honoured with the first ever European Order of Merit. The ceremony recognized 20 inaugural laureates for their contributions to EU integration and values.

Thirteen of the 20 laureates attended the ceremony in Parliament's hemicycle, where they received their distinction from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Among the distinguished members present was also former Polish President Lech Wałesa, former leader of Solidarnosc.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was also admitted as a distinguished member, though he was not present at the ceremony.

The European Parliament's Bureau established this first European distinction of its kind last year, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration and the promotion of European values.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

STRASBOURG, FRANCE (MAY 19, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL ARRIVING AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO RECEIVE THE EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT

2. VARIOUS OF FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT LECH WALESA ARRIVING AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO RECEIVE THE EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT

3. PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN GREETING MERKEL, POSING FOR PICTURE WITH PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ROBERTA METSOLA (RIGHT) AND ONE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, SABINE VERHEYEN (LEFT)

4. SIGN READING (English): "European Order of Merit"

5. SPEAKER IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SAYING (English): "Angela Merkel, please rise to be admitted the distinguished member of the European Order of Merit"

6. VARIOUS OF MERKEL BEING APPLAUDED

7. MERKEL WALKING TOWARDS VON DER LEYEN AND RECEIVING EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT, SHAKING HANDS WITH VON DER LEYEN AND METSOLA

8. VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT APPLAUDING

9. SPEAKER IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SAYING (English): "His Excellency President Volodymyr Zelenskiy could not be with us today. His distinction as distinguished member of the European Order of Merit will be conferred at a later date. Today, we recognize his invaluable contributions to the European Union."

10. FORMER MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MICHEL BARNIER ONLOOKING AS OTHER MEPS APPLAUD ZELENSKIY

11. MEPS APPLAUDING

12. FORMER PRESIDENT OF POLAND LECH WALESA WALKING TOWARDS ROBERTA METSOLA AND RECEIVING EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT

13. VARIOUS OF VON DER LEYEN, ROBERTA METSOLA, MERKEL, WALESA AND OTHERS POSING FOR GROUP PICTURE

14. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (MUTE)

15. DRONE SHOT OF EUROPEAN FLAGS (MUTE)