You’re reading Rapporteur on Tuesday 19 May. Eddy Wax here in Strasbourg (say hi), with Nicoletta Ionta in Brussels.
Need-to-knows:
🟢 Von der Leyen to honour political mentor
🟢 Fresh attempts to clinch Trump trade deal
🟢 Weeks till jet fuel shortages become acute
From the capital
In what must be the peak of her lacklustre post-political career so far, Angela Merkel will today become a ‘distinguished member’ of the European Order of Merit, a new prize devised by MEPs.
At a suitably grand ceremony in Strasbourg, Merkel may have a chance to exchange a few words with one of her protégés as Ursula von der Leyen personally places the medal around her neck.
The former chancellor, once dubbed the Queen of Europe, might even offer advice on how to weather an unflattering reassessment of one’s political legacy. Merkel’s reputation, particularly her conciliatory approach towards Russia and opposition to Ukraine joining NATO in 2008, has come under sustained scrutiny…
