The former chancellor issued the appeal as she accepted an award at the European Parliament – in a speech urging the bloc to live up to the “promises” made to its citizens on protecting peace, prosperity and democratic values.

“Continue along the path of regulating social media,” she urged. “Continue along the path of regulating artificial intelligence.”

“To believe that responsibility for spreading information is no longer necessary – that one will not be held accountable for lies – will undermine the foundations of democracy,” warned the German liberal, who served as Germany’s chancellor from 2005 to 2021.

The 27-country EU has some of the world’s strictest rules regulating the digital space and is currently weighing the possibility of banning social media for those under a certain age.

Merkel is one of 20 laureates of a newly created European Order of Merit, bestowed in March to recognise “significant contributions to European integration and unity, democracy and values”.

Thirteen laureates were present for Tuesday’s formal award ceremony in Strasbourg, including Poland’s former leader Lech Walesa and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

Sandu’s address – in which she vowed to keep the ex-Soviet country on its pro-European path – was interrupted by a heckler yelling “dictator” from the visitor’s gallery, triggering a standing ovation in support of the president.

“This distinction belongs to the Moldovan people,” Sandu said in accepting her award. “Voting for Europe again and again in the face of Russian threats and blackmail – that is merit.”

“So my plea to you, to EU institutions and member states, is simple. Reward this merit. Let Moldova move forward in its European journey,” urged Sandu, whose country has set itself the goal of joining the bloc by 2028.

Other laureates – who were not in attendance – include Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Irish rock band U2.