Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the Merit Order of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Stralsund on Monday, with the ceremony beginning at 3:30 PM. The award was presented by State Premier Manuela Schwesig of the SPD, who described Merkel's long representation of the northeastern state as "a true stroke of luck" for the region. Merkel had served as a member of parliament for the constituency for over 30 years since 1990, winning the direct mandate in all eight elections during that period and maintaining her constituency office in Stralsund.
During the ceremony, Schwesig highlighted Merkel's personal commitment to numerous projects in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern throughout her political career. The state premier specifically mentioned the completion of the A20 highway, construction of the Rügen Bridge, and development of the Nature Heritage Center in Prora as initiatives Merkel had significantly advanced. Merkel was also credited with supporting the shipbuilding and maritime industries in the state while consistently making time for regional concerns despite her international obligations.
While the award ceremony proceeded inside Stralsund's town hall, a contrasting political scene unfolded outside where approximately 200 people gathered for an AfD protest on the Old Market square. The demonstration, which featured eight police vans, was audible within the hall where Merkel was being honored. The right-wing populist party, now the largest opposition party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, criticized what they termed Merkel's "uncontrolled mass immigration" policies from a decade earlier, calling the award ceremony "sheer mockery."
In her acceptance speech, Merkel described the honor as "a great honor" and viewed it as recognition for an entire generation that had engaged in rebuilding efforts following German reunification. She reflected on the significant challenges faced during that period, including high unemployment in eastern Germany. Merkel also addressed contemporary concerns, urging officials not to allow the 1990 slogan "We are the people" to be used to divide society between elites and ordinary citizens, emphasizing that such distinctions contradict constitutional principles.
MUNICH — Knorr-Bremse AG, the German manufacturer of braking systems for trucks and trains, announced on Monday it has agreed to acquire Dutch digital services platform TRAVIS Road Services International B.V. The deal, valued in the mid-double-digit million-euro range, represents the latest...
Baden-Württemberg's camping industry is poised for a record-breaking year, with camping enthusiasts flocking to popular regions like the Black Forest and Lake Constance. Kurt Bonath, chairman of the State Association of the Camping Industry in Baden-Württemberg, reported that many campground...
The International Biathlon Union is confronting climate change head-on with experimental roller-ski competitions, staging the Loop One Festival in Munich's Olympic Park as both a public showcase and practical preparation for potentially snowless winters. Top athletes from around the world...
Swiss cement conglomerate Holcim has agreed to acquire German building materials manufacturer Xella for €1.85 billion, marking a significant strategic move in the European construction sector. The transaction, announced on Monday, is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026,...
The mood in Germany's residential construction sector has improved to its highest level in over three years, according to the latest Ifo Institute survey. The business climate index for housing construction rose sharply in September to -21.8 points, up from -26.4 points in August, marking the...
