Angela Merkel received the Order of Leopold from King Philippe on Friday before an afternoon meeting on EU policy with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Merkel said the next German government would be "pro-European."
Merkel's farewell tour from the global political stage has underscored the importance of her leadership in Europe and abroadImage: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, Belgium's highest honor, by King Philippe on Friday at a ceremony in the monarch's Palace of Laeken, just north of Brussels.
The event was announced by Merkel's press secretary, Steffen Seibert, via Twitter.
Merkel was then invited to lunch alongside the king and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, before heading into Brussels proper for a working meeting with De Croo at Egmont Palace.
The afternoon meeting focused on international and European environmental strategies, as well as preparations for an upcoming EU summit late next week.
Merkel’s influence on Europe
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What did Merkel say about EU policy and the next German government?
At an afternoon press conference, Merkel spoke of the importance of unity in Europe, specifically concerning Hungary and Poland — with whom Brussels has had numerous clashes regarding legal and media reforms.
Merkel said: "We have big problems regarding the rule of law, but we should solve them by talking with one another."
"We are all member states of the European Union, which means we have the duty always to try to find compromise — without giving up our principles, obviously," she said.
The European Union has repeatedly threatened Hungary and Poland with punitive measures should they continue to thumb their noses at EU legal norms. Still, the chancellor suggested the EU and its member states, should wait to hear what the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has to say on the primacy of EU law in member states.
The chancellor also addressed EU interest in Germany's next government, commenting on news of the possible beginning of formal coalition negotiations between the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Though coalition talks remain wide open, the Christian Democrat said she could "say with full confidence," that Germany's next administration "will be a pro-European government — and that is an important message for our EU partners."
End of an era: A look back at Merkel's most memorable moments
Germany's 2021 election heralds the end of Chancellor Angela Merkel's time in office. Along with the political milestones, there were plenty of emotional moments as well.
Image: Nicolas Armer/dpa/picture alliance
The first swearing-in
On November 22, 2005, Angela Merkel became the first woman and the first person from the former East Germany to be sworn in as German chancellor. The ceremony was conducted by Norbert Lammert, president of the German parliament, the Bundestag. At the time, no one could have foreseen that she would stay in power for the next 16 years.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G. Bergmann
Russia makes the most of Merkel's dislike of dogs
This photo is hard to forget. During a trip to Russia in 2017, a stoic-looking Merkel didn’t flinch when President Vladmir Putin's dog came up to sniff her. It was believed to be a deliberate provocation, since Merkel is reportedly afraid of dogs, having once been bitten.
Image: Imago/ITAR-TASS
Selfie with the chancellor
Merkel's selfie with the young refugee, Anas Modamani from Syria, went around the world. When Merkel visited the refugee shelter, Modamai reportedly didn't know who she was at first. Later, the photo became one of the iconic images for Merkel's "Wir schaffen das" or "we can do it" statement regarding her 2015 policy of taking in refugees.
Image: Getty Images/S. Gallup
Calling the shots?
Merkel's chancellorship has been marked by several turbulent political meetings on the world stage, like here during the G7 summit in Canada in 2018. The image made headlines around the world. Could Merkel be explaining to US President Trump how things should be done?
Image: Reuters/Bundesregierung/J. Denzel
Dealing with difficult partners
Dealing with President Trump wasn't easy for the German chancellor. During a visit to the United States in 2017, Merkel's annoyance at the American leader's behavior was plain to see. There was much speculation about whether he really did refuse to shake her hand on camera. Merkel, ever the professional, spoke afterwards about a "good and open exchange."
Image: Reuters/J. Ernst
Fuss over Merkel's opera gown
As a female leader, Merkel inevitably had to deal with comments about her outfits. During a 2008 visit to the opera in Oslo, she wore a gown with a plunging neckline, sparking such debate that her spokesman eventually had to address the issue. After that, Merkel mainly opted for blazers and trousers, which even found favor with fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
Image: picture-alliance/ dpa
Wanderlust
Not much is known about Merkel's private life, except perhaps her love of hiking. In 2012 she was snapped with her husband, Joachim Sauer, on the Italian island of Ischia. Merkel once said that she can switch off during walks.
Image: picture-alliance/ANSA/R. Olimpio
Jumping for joy
Though she's normally considered to be quite reserved, Merkel was unrestrained in her joy as she cheered the German soccer team when they scored during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. According to a close aide, she's a fan of the star German Bundesliga club, FC Bayern Munich.
Image: imago/ActionPictures
'Merkel rhombus' becomes a brand
Merkel's habit of clasping her hands in front of her stomach, thumbs and fingertips touching to form a diamond shape, became her trademark. The "Merkel rhombus" was not only used in the 2013 election campaign, but even got its own emoji. Olaf Scholz, the Social Democrat’s chancellor candidate in the 2021 election, even adopted the famous gesture.
Image: REUTERS
A commemorative Merkel teddy bear
With its red blazer, beaded necklace in the colors of the German flag, blonde wig and Merkel rhombus, this teddy bear is instantly recognizable. The Angela Merkel teddy was created by a family-owned toy manufacturer in Coburg, central Germany. The 500 stuffed animals were quickly sold out, but one of them is still to be presented to the departing chancellor.
