Mario Draghi, the Italian economist and banker who led the European Central Bank from 2011 to 2019, has been awarded the international Charlemagne Prize 2026 in recognition of his role in stabilizing the eurozone and promoting European unity. His decisive response to the euro crisis earned him the nickname “Super Mario” among journalists and in financial markets.
During the ceremony, Friedrich Merz and Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Draghi as a key figure in safeguarding Europe during a period of significant economic turbulence. Merz took the opportunity to call for a stronger and more integrated European Union, urging member states to increase their investments in competitiveness and defense against pressures from the United States under Donald Trump and the growing competition from China.
In his acceptance speech, Draghi warned that Europe risks falling behind global powers without deeper economic integration and massive investments in energy, digital infrastructure, and the single market. He criticized the fragmentation of European markets and argued that new trade agreements alone would not address the structural weaknesses of the bloc. He also reiterated his calls for common European debt, despite resistance from fiscally conservative countries like Germany.
His remarks come as EU member states negotiate the bloc’s 2028-2034 budget framework amid growing debates on debt, industrial competitiveness, and defense spending. Draghi’s stance aligns with the recommendations of his highly acclaimed 2024 report on European competitiveness, which advocated for annual investments of up to 800 billion euros.
The Charlemagne Prize was established in Aix-la-Chapelle after World War II to honor individuals and institutions that strengthen European cooperation and integration. Named after Charlemagne, who ruled much of Western Europe from Aix-la-Chapelle, the award has been bestowed on figures such as Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Angela Merkel, and the European Union itself.
