Berlin One could consider it an ordinary occurrence: the Federal President presents the former chancellor with an award for her merits. But when Frank-Walter Steinmeier awards Angela Merkel the Grand Cross in a special version at Bellevue Palace on Monday evening, it is no routine act. On the contrary, it is a delicate matter.
The Grand Cross in a special design is the highest level of the Order of Merit that exists in Germany for heads of government and former chancellors. It has only been awarded twice in the history of the Federal Republic.
If Steinmeier grants Merkel this honor, it will not only be about Merkel’s political legacy that will be discussed, but also about Steinmeier’s.
The Grand Cross was awarded in a special version for the first time in January 1954. Federal President Theodor Heuss honored Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer with it. That was at the beginning of his second term.
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