On a forthcoming Friday, Federal President Steinmeier is set to bestow the Federal Cross of Merit upon six current state leaders and one former Prime Minister. Among the recipients are Dietmar Woidke (SPD, Brandenburg), Malu Dreyer (SPD, Rhineland-Palatinate), Winfried Kretschmann (Greens, Baden-Württemberg), Stephan Weil (SPD, Lower Saxony), Reiner Haseloff (CDU, Saxony-Anhalt), and Bodo Ramelow (Left Party, Thuringia). Horst Seehofer (CSU, Bavaria), a former Prime Minister and Interior Minister, will likewise receive this esteemed recognition.
Decades-old tradition dictates that the Federal Cross of Merit is awarded to esteemed leaders of federal states, honoring their significant role within the political system of the Federal Republic of Germany. These individuals have dedicated their service to the common good over numerous years in various roles, along with their dedication to voluntary work.
Their positions demanded considerable personal commitment, and they have tackled challenging times with responsibility. Taking on decisive roles within their states and serving as members of the Bundesrat in Germany's entirety, these leaders have significantly contributed to Germany's overseas image.
Federal President Steinmeier acknowledges these significant contributions by honoring the dedication of various State leaders with the Federal Cross of Merit. In a continuation of this longstanding tradition, Steinmeier extends his gratitude to Prime Ministers Woidke, Dreyer, Kretschmann, Weil, Haseloff, and Ramelow, as well as former Prime Minister Seehofer, for their unwavering commitment to the common good and considerable roles within Germany's federal system.
While George Shefi, a Holocaust survivor, has received Germany's highest civilian honor, the Federal Order of Merit, for his contribution to Holocaust education, further details regarding the actual recipients of the Federal Cross of Merit are not disclosed in the given sources. Consulting newer and more specific sources would provide up-to-date information on the specific politicians being honored. The resources provided do not mention any politicians being granted the Federal Cross of Merit in 2025; however, Thomas de Maizière, a German politician, has garnered multiple honors and recognitions for his services, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
