Award
Wüst honored as politician of the year
Laudator Xavier Bettel (r) and award winner Hendrik Wüst in the Tipi at the Chancellery. photo
© Annette Riedl/dpa
The laudatory speech was held by Luxembourg’s head of government. One becomes politician of the year above all when one has gained trust, said Xavier Bettel.
The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst (CDU), received the political award for “Politician of the Year” from the magazine “Politik und Kommunikation” and the Quadriga University. The award was presented to him on Wednesday evening in the Tipi, an event tent next to the Berlin Chancellery.
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said in his laudatory speech that one becomes politician of the year above all when one has gained trust. The award for the 47-year-old is also “a bet on the future”.
Around 400 politicians, journalists and representatives of companies and institutions attended the award ceremony in Berlin, which was moderated by journalists Alev Dogan and journalists Hajo Schumacher. Schleswig-Holstein’s social affairs minister Aminata Touré (Greens) was voted “climber of the year” by the 24-strong jury, and the 90-year-old FDP veteran Gerhart Baum – federal interior minister from 1978 to 1982 – received an honorary award for his life’s work.
Special prize for Iranian
A special prize went to the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Shadi Sadr – representing Iranian civil society, which is fighting back against the Iranian leadership’s repression. “We will not forget you, we stand by your side. This is also what today’s award stands for,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) in her laudatory speech. “We bow to you and your deeds.”
Since 2003, “Politics and Communication” and Quadriga have honored politicians who have attracted attention with their extraordinary achievements. The Politics Award is also given for political and social campaigns. According to the organizers, participation in the selection process in these two categories is only possible if an application fee is paid.