Blab Politics
European Parliament Confers First European Order of Merit to 20 Distinguished Individuals
On 19 May 2026, the European Parliament awarded the inaugural European Order of Merit to 20 individuals in a ceremony held in the hemicycle of the Parliament in Strasbourg. The award, created in 2025 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, is intended to honour those who have made a significant contribution to European integration or to the promotion and defence of European values.
The ceremony was presided over by President Roberta Metsola of the European Parliament and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission. The awards were presented to the recipients by the two leaders, and 13 of the 20 honourees were in attendance. The event was part of the EU’s broader celebrations of its 75th anniversary and a symbolic gesture aimed at reinforcing a shared European identity.
The European Order of Merit is limited to 20 recipients each year. According to the order’s statutes, elected members of the European Parliament and civil servants of EU institutions are ineligible for the award while in office. The selection committee that chooses the laureates is appointed by the Bureau of the European Parliament, and the process is designed to ensure a transparent and merit‑based selection.
The first cohort of laureates includes a mix of public figures, scholars, and civil society leaders who have been recognised for their work across a range of fields. While the full list of recipients was announced in a press release issued by the Parliament, the ceremony highlighted the diversity of the awardees, underscoring the EU’s commitment to recognising contributions from all member states.
The creation of the order follows the EU’s tradition of conferring honours to individuals who have advanced European integration. However, the European Order of Merit is the first formal order of merit established by the Parliament itself. The award is intended to provide a visible symbol of the EU’s appreciation for individuals who have helped shape the Union’s political, economic, and social trajectory.
In a statement released after the ceremony, President Metsola said that the award “recognises the extraordinary efforts of individuals who have helped build a Europe that is stronger, more united, and more resilient.” President von der Leyen added that the award “celebrates the values that underpin the European project and the people who have worked tirelessly to protect and promote them.”
The European Order of Merit is part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at strengthening European identity and solidarity. The EU has previously launched other recognitions, such as the European Union Prize for the European Way of Life, but the new order is the first to be awarded by the Parliament itself.
The award ceremony was broadcast live by the European Parliament’s media channels, allowing citizens across the Union to witness the event. The Parliament has indicated that future recipients will be announced annually, with the selection process continuing to be overseen by the Bureau.
The European Order of Merit marks a new chapter in the EU’s efforts to celebrate and promote the values that have guided the Union’s development over the past 75 years. By recognising individuals from across the continent, the Parliament aims to reinforce a sense of shared purpose and to highlight the ongoing importance of European integration.
The next round of nominations is expected to open in early 2027, with the selection committee scheduled to review applications and make recommendations to the Bureau by the end of that year. The European Parliament has stated that the award will continue to be a symbol of the Union’s commitment to excellence and to the principles that underpin the European project.
The ceremony was presided over by President Roberta Metsola of the European Parliament and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission. The awards were presented to the recipients by the two leaders, and 13 of the 20 honourees were in attendance. The event was part of the EU’s broader celebrations of its 75th anniversary and a symbolic gesture aimed at reinforcing a shared European identity.
The European Order of Merit is limited to 20 recipients each year. According to the order’s statutes, elected members of the European Parliament and civil servants of EU institutions are ineligible for the award while in office. The selection committee that chooses the laureates is appointed by the Bureau of the European Parliament, and the process is designed to ensure a transparent and merit‑based selection.
The first cohort of laureates includes a mix of public figures, scholars, and civil society leaders who have been recognised for their work across a range of fields. While the full list of recipients was announced in a press release issued by the Parliament, the ceremony highlighted the diversity of the awardees, underscoring the EU’s commitment to recognising contributions from all member states.
The creation of the order follows the EU’s tradition of conferring honours to individuals who have advanced European integration. However, the European Order of Merit is the first formal order of merit established by the Parliament itself. The award is intended to provide a visible symbol of the EU’s appreciation for individuals who have helped shape the Union’s political, economic, and social trajectory.
In a statement released after the ceremony, President Metsola said that the award “recognises the extraordinary efforts of individuals who have helped build a Europe that is stronger, more united, and more resilient.” President von der Leyen added that the award “celebrates the values that underpin the European project and the people who have worked tirelessly to protect and promote them.”
The European Order of Merit is part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at strengthening European identity and solidarity. The EU has previously launched other recognitions, such as the European Union Prize for the European Way of Life, but the new order is the first to be awarded by the Parliament itself.
The award ceremony was broadcast live by the European Parliament’s media channels, allowing citizens across the Union to witness the event. The Parliament has indicated that future recipients will be announced annually, with the selection process continuing to be overseen by the Bureau.
The European Order of Merit marks a new chapter in the EU’s efforts to celebrate and promote the values that have guided the Union’s development over the past 75 years. By recognising individuals from across the continent, the Parliament aims to reinforce a sense of shared purpose and to highlight the ongoing importance of European integration.
The next round of nominations is expected to open in early 2027, with the selection committee scheduled to review applications and make recommendations to the Bureau by the end of that year. The European Parliament has stated that the award will continue to be a symbol of the Union’s commitment to excellence and to the principles that underpin the European project.
