Roland Theis, CDU parliamentarian, requests the withdrawal of the Order of Merit from Justus Frantz, after the conductor received the Order of Friendship from Putin.

Justus Frantz, a German conductor, sparked controversy after traveling to Moscow to receive the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Roland Theis, a parliamentarian from the Christian Democratic Union, called for the withdrawal of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, arguing that those who collaborate with dictators should not hold such distinctions. Frantz, at the age of 81, was praised by Putin for his contributions to German-Russian cultural relations. Additionally, in February 2023, Frantz signed a 'Manifesto for Peace', which called for negotiations with Russia. The conductor has performed with renowned orchestras from around the world and is known as an admirer of Russian composers.