Jean-Claude Juncker

Jean-Claude Juncker is one of the key figures in the establishment of the euro and a pioneer of European unification.

As the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, he holds the record for the longest tenure as head of government in the European Union, serving for 18 years, and is the world’s longest-serving democratically elected leader.

Jean-Claude studied law at the University of Strasbourg and obtained his law degree in 1979. He joined the Christian Social People’s Party of Luxembourg in 1974 and was appointed as the parliamentary secretary of the CSV in 1979. Three years later, he assumed his first governmental position as the Secretary of State for Employment and Social Security under Prime Minister Pierre Werner of the CSV.

He was elected to the legislature in 1984 and served in the cabinet of Prime Minister Jacques Santer as the Minister of Labor. In 1989, Jean-Claude Juncker became the Minister of Finance and represented Luxembourg on the board of governors of the World Bank. He was elected President of the CSV in January 1990 and played a significant role in the drafting and promotion of the Maastricht Treaty, the founding document of the European Union, throughout 1991-1992.

When Santer became the President of the European Commission in January 1995, Jean-Claude Juncker succeeded him as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg. His tenure was characterized by strong economic performance, and he held a prominent position in European politics.

From 2005 to 2013, he chaired the Eurogroup and played a central role in shaping the response to the sovereign debt crisis in 2009. In 2014, Jean-Claude Juncker was elected by the European Parliament to succeed José Manuel Barroso as the President of the European Commission. During his term, he faced various challenges confronting the EU, including a sluggish economy, a series of terrorist attacks in Europe, and the dominant issue of Brexit throughout his five-year mandate.

Jean-Claude Juncker was widely recognized as a skilled mediator within the European Union. In 2006, he received the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen for his contribution as a “driving force and pioneer of European unification.” Among his numerous other awards, this passionate politician for Europe received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Gold Medal of the European Union with a star, as well as honorary doctorates from various international universities.

Sujets populaires: International Relations | Leadership and Government | World Economy | European Union | The Euro | Brexit | Economy