Kohl’s widow wanted Orbán, not Merkel to speak at memorial service

European leaders will speak at state memorial service of former German leader.

By CHRISTIAN KRUG 6/21/17, 2:33 PM CET

The widow of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl did not want Angela Merkel to speak at his state memorial service on July 1, Der Spiegel reported Wednesday.

Maike Kohl-Richter had suggested that only foreign guests should speak at the service, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. She was advised against the plan, Der Spiegel said.

Merkel will now speak at the service, as will European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The former German leader, who was chancellor during the reunification of Germany, died last week at the age of 87.

Source