Angela Merkel is expected to be a guest in Halle at today’s symposium in honor of Jörg Hacker, former President of the Leopoldina. The former Chancellor holds the opening speech. All important statements by Merkel in the live ticker from FOCUS Online.

8.15 a.m .: Welcome to the live ticker from FOCUS Online. Ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Halle from 11:00 a.m. The occasion is the 70th birthday of ex-Leopoldina President Jörg Hacker, according to the Academy. In addition to Merkel, ex-Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan (CDU) is also expected.

At a symposium entitled “Of bacteria, people and science” Hacker’s life’s work is to be honored. Merkel will start the event with a speech. The Chancellor a. D. had visited the Leopoldina several times during her tenure.

“The National Academy of Sciences is the heart and voice of German science. The Leopoldina assumes its role as a communicator of scientific knowledge with impressive commitment,” she said on the tenth anniversary of the Leopoldina as a national academy in 2018. The Leopoldina is an important driving force in public opinion-forming.