The Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen and the City of Aachen are delighted to announce two outstanding figures in European politics as keynote speakers for the festive award ceremony of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen on May 14, 2026: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, will also speak at the festive dinner the evening before.

In a decisive phase for Europe, the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2026 honors the former President of the European Central Bank and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. The Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors is not only paying tribute to his outstanding life's work in stabilizing the European Monetary Union, but is also sending a clear political signal: Europe's future and sovereignty also depend on its economic strength.

Against this backdrop, the keynote speakers at this year's award ceremony sent out a strong European policy signal.

Armin Laschet MdB, Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, explains: "With Christine Lagarde, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, we have gained three personalities who - each in their own way - are committed to Europe. Lagarde continues the work of Mario Draghi at the head of the ECB, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stands for the renewal of a country that many had already given no future in the euro, and the Federal Chancellor embodies Germany's responsibility as a core country of the EU."

Speakers at the award ceremony: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver the opening address at the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony on May 14 in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall. The award to Mario Draghi comes at a time when Europe is facing far-reaching economic, security, and social challenges. The Chancellor’s visit once again underscores the significance of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen as a European award with international prestige.

Armin Laschet: "The fact that the Federal Chancellor is coming to Aachen to receive the Charlemagne Prize is a strong signal. It emphasizes the role of our city as a European platform for the major issues of our time. Friedrich Merz's participation underlines Germany's shared responsibility for a stable, united and sustainable Europe."

The second speech will be given by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic. His participation is particularly closely linked to the biography and achievements of this year's laureate: in the euro sovereign debt crisis, Greece was the epicenter of the tensions that shook confidence in the single currency and in the European Union as a whole. Mario Draghi's policies at the helm of the European Central Bank played a key role in defending the euro and keeping Greece in the eurozone.

Under the Mitsotakis government, Greece has impressively demonstrated in recent years how reforms, economic recovery and a pro-European agenda can go hand in hand. Today, the country is a prime example of how the stabilization policy co-designed by Draghi works in the long term and opens up new prospects for growth, investment and social confidence.

Dr. Michael Ziemons, Lord Mayor of the City of Aachen: "Welcoming Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Aachen is highly symbolic. Greece was once the problem child of the eurozone - today it is an impressive example of renewal and stability. The fact that the Greek Prime Minister is giving one of the speeches in honor of Mario Draghi clearly demonstrates the concrete impact that European solidarity, courageous reforms and smart monetary policy can have."

Festive speech on the eve: Christine Lagarde

On the evening before the award ceremony, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, will speak at the festive dinner in honor of Mario Draghi. As his successor at the helm of the ECB, she will continue his European project. Her perspective combines economic expertise with a political sense of proportion and underlines the extent to which the stability of the euro is linked to Europe's ability to act in the world.

"Like Mario Draghi, Christine Lagarde stands for a Europe that does not fall apart in the crisis, but continues to grow together. She combines economic expertise with political leadership and has resolutely developed the European Central Bank in a time of multiple crises. Her speech in Aachen will make it clear that the stability of the euro and the cohesion of Europe are inextricably linked," said Laschet and Ziemons.