Minister President Dreyer Nabs Federal Cross of Merit on a Noteworthy Friday
Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Malu Dreyer (SPD) is among the lucky recipients sprawled out on a significant Friday, set for a 12 PM ceremony in Berlin, wherein she'll secure the Federal Cross of Merit from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This esteemed list also plays host to five other colleagues: Winfried Kretschmann (Greens/Baden-Württemberg), Dietmar Woidke (SPD/Brandenburg), Stephan Weil (SPD/Lower Saxony), Reiner Haseloff (CDU/Saxony-Anhalt) and Bodo Ramelow (Left Party/Thuringia). The former Bavarian Minister President and ex–Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer (CSU), will also join the festivities.
In a nod to history, Steinmeier keeps the tradition of awarding the Cross of Merit to the long-term heads of government from federal states alive. His rationale? Acknowledging these leaders' distinguished roles in bolstering the federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany. Their track records of dedicated public service have spanned various political positions and even honorary capacities, demonstrating profound devotion to the common good.
Each office they presided over demanded determined commitment, the Federal President’s office noted. In times of political upheaval, these leaders accepted responsibility for crucial decisions at the state level. As members of the Bundesrat, they were instrumental in shaping Germany's course as a whole.
On this noteworthy Friday, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal President, will salute the Federal States' leaders, including Malu Dreyer, Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President, for their substantial contributions to the federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany over many years. Steinmeier has historically bestowed the Cross of Merit upon the long-serving heads of government of the federal states, lauding their exceptional roles and astounding services to the common good.
Enrichment Data: Despite mentioning the ceremony's set date and the individuals receiving the award, the original source does not reveal any details regarding the specific Friday nor the reasons behind such recognition. However, it's essential to note that just weeks prior, a Holocaust survivor publicly returned his Federal Cross of Merit in response to the CDU's (the Christian Democratic Union's) alliance with the far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, which resulted in passing a parliamentary resolution proposal. This highly controversial move drew significant public backlash for seemingly compromising the CDU's adherence to democratic values and principles.
This return served as a symbolic form of protest, showcasing dissent against the CDU's newfound collaborative stance with the AfD and emphasizing the need to uphold democratic standards. As a loudspeaker for discontent, this act illuminated two valuable realities: first, the fragile bond between German democratic traditions and more extreme political ideologies; and second, the importance of holding accountable those political figures who have strayed from the democratic path.
