Prabowo Welcomes German President with State Ceremony at the State Palace

President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived at the State Palace on Monday, 15 June 2026, and was immediately welcomed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto with a state ceremony. The route from the Monas area to the Merdeka Palace courtyard was lively and colourful. Seventeen motorcycle troops, an honour guard, and 120 mounted troops escorted the official vehicle carrying President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender to Merdeka Palace. Upon arrival at Merdeka Palace, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was greeted by hundreds of students waving Indonesian and German flags. President Prabowo personally welcomed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender on the west side of Merdeka Palace. A warm moment was seen when President Prabowo and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hugged each other warmly and shook hands firmly. The two heads of state then watched a Zapin Malay dance. After the dance ended, President Prabowo and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier entered Merdeka Palace to attend the state ceremony. Once they arrived on the veranda, the state ceremony began solemnly. The German national anthem was played, followed by the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya, accompanied by a gun salute. Afterwards, the two heads of state inspected the honour guard. President Prabowo and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reviewed the ranks of soldiers standing gallantly in the courtyard of Merdeka Palace. After the troop inspection, President Prabowo introduced the Indonesian delegation to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The two leaders then introduced their respective delegations. The Indonesian delegation included Foreign Minister Sugiono, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Following the introductions, President Prabowo and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier proceeded to the credentials room for a photo session and the signing of the state guest book. The series of activities then continued with a tête-à-tête meeting between President Prabowo and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in President Prabowo’s office.