Overview
- Announced by Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Strasbourg, the list drew audible boos over Angela Merkel’s inclusion.
- The top rank, Distinguished Member, went to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Angela Merkel and Lech Wałęsa.
- Honorees span politics, civil society and the arts, including Maia Sandu, Pietro Parolin, Sauli Niinistö, Mary Robinson, U2, José Andrés and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Laureates were nominated by EU institutional presidents and heads of government and vetted by a committee including Josep Borrell, Michel Barnier and José Manuel Barroso.
- The three-tier order will be formally conferred in May with a badge, ribbon and certificate signed by Metsola.