Saxony-Anhalt: Former Interior Minister Püchel now wears the Order of Merit

Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - Saxony-Anhalt's former Interior Minister Manfred Püchel has been the bearer of the state's Order of Merit since Wednesday. Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) presented the 71-year-old with the medal, as announced by the State Chancellery in Magdeburg. Püchel was honored for his great services to state politics, for his many years of local political commitment and his commitment to the Green Belt natural monument. The SPD politician and chemist was Minister of the Interior from 1994 to 2002. He was a member of the state parliament from 1990 to 2011. In addition, Püchel, who comes from Etgersleben near Magdeburg, has been a member of the district council for many years.