The heads of state and government said goodbye to the Chancellor.
(Photo: dpa)
Brussels At the EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Angela Merkel received not only many appreciative words but also a few gifts on her departure from politics. According to diplomats, a two-minute video with summit scenes from the past 16 years was shown at a small farewell ceremony on Friday morning.
Merkel can also be seen in it with numerous heads of state and government who have not been in office for a long time, it said. For example with French President Jacques Chirac, who died in 2019, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In addition, according to the information, Merkel received a sculpture of the European building from EU Council President Charles Michel as a souvenir. This has been the headquarters of the European Council and the Council of the EU since 2017. Participants of the farewell party initially kept silent about at least one other gift.
According to the information, Michel praised Merkel almost effusively: “You are a monument,” said the Belgian. An EU summit without Merkel is like Rome without the Vatican or Paris without the Eiffel Tower.
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Their wisdom will be lacking, especially in complex times. Michel also praised Merkel’s “sobriety and simplicity”. “You are not leaving us. Your spirit and your experience will stay with us, ”said the councilor. “You are a compass and a shining light for our European project.” Then there was a standing ovation.
Xavier Bettel: “Europe will miss Angela Merkel”
Meanwhile, it is not entirely certain that the EU summit, which will run until Friday afternoon, will really be the last with Merkel. Should the schedule of the traffic light coalition negotiations in Berlin get out of hand, the CDU politician could return to Brussels for the next meeting in mid-December.
More: With this team of close confidants, Olaf Scholz wants to move into the Chancellery