Jean-Claude Juncker
Encyclopedia
Jean-Claude Juncker (born 9 December 1954) is a Luxembourg
politician, 23rd and current Prime Minister of Luxembourg, since 20 January 1995. He is the longest standing head of government of any European Union state. He has been President of the Euro Group
, the political control over the euro currency, since the creation of a semi-permanent position in 2005.
Elected to the Chamber of Deputies
for the Christian Social People's Party
in 1984
, Juncker was immediately promoted to Jacques Santer's cabinet as Minister for Work. He was Luxembourg's Minister for Finances from 1989 to 2009, and became Prime Minister when Santer became President of the European Commission
in 1995. In his capacity of Prime Minister, he also served two six-month terms as President of the European Council
, in 1997 and 2005.
and spent most of his childhood in Belvaux
. His father had fought in World War II after being forcibly recruited into the Wehrmacht
, and was a steelworker and a member of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions
. Juncker studied at Clairefontaine
in Belgium before returning to Luxembourg to attain his baccalaureate
in the Lycée Michel Rodange
. Around that time, in 1974, he joined the Christian Social People's Party. Juncker went on to study law at the University of Strasbourg
, attaining a Master of Law degree in 1979. Although he was sworn into the Luxembourg Bar Council
in 1980, he never practised as a lawyer.
. He earned election to the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
for the first time in 1984 and immediately took the office of Minister for Labour under Jacques Santer. This led to a chairpersons' role at a number of meetings of the Council of the European Communities, where Juncker's pro-Europe credentials first emerged.
Shortly before the 1989 election, Juncker was seriously injured in a road traffic accident, spending two weeks in a coma. He nonetheless recovered in time to be returned to the Chamber of Deputies once more, picking up the Finance portfolio along with his Ministry of Labour post. The Ministry of Finance post is traditionally seen as a rite of passage
to the premiership of the country, and his eventual promotion to Prime Minister seemed at this time inevitable, with political commentators concluding that Santer was grooming Juncker as his heir. Juncker at this time accepted the position of Governor of the World Bank
.
. Juncker chaired the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), becoming a key architect of the Maastricht Treaty
. Juncker was largely responsible for clauses on economic and monetary union (the process that would eventually give rise to the Euro) and was himself a signatory to the treaty in 1992, by which time he had taken over as parliamentary leader of the Christian Social People's Party.
Juncker was re-elected to the Chamber in 1994, maintaining both his ministerial roles. With Jacques Santer ready to be nominated as the next President of the European Commission
, it was only six months later, on 20 January 1995, that Grand Duke Jean
approved the appointment of Juncker as Prime Minister, as part of a coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
. Juncker relinquished his post at the World Bank at this time (swapping it for governorship of the International Monetary Fund
) but maintained his previous ministerial positions; he was now the Minister of State, of Labour and Employment and of the Treasury.
Juncker's first term as Prime Minister was focused on an economic platform of international bilateral ties to improve Luxembourg's profile abroad, which included a number of official visits abroad. During one such visit, to Dublin in December 1996, Juncker successfully mediated a dispute over his own EU Economic and Monetary Union policy between French president Jacques Chirac
and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl
. The press dubbed Juncker the Hero of Dublin for achieving an unlikely consensus between the two.
1997 brought the rotating Presidency of the European Council to Luxembourg for the first time in Juncker's administration. Juncker championed the cause of social integration
in Europe, along with constituting the so-called "Luxembourg Process" for integrated European policy against unemployment. He also instigated the "Euro 11", an informal group of European finance ministers for matters regarding his Economic and Monetary Union ideals. For all of these initiatives, he was honored with the Vision for Europe Award
in 1998.
Juncker succeeded in winning another term as Prime Minister in the 1999 elections
, although the coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party was broken in favour of one with the Democratic Party
. After the 2004 elections
, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party became the second largest party again, and Juncker again formed a coalition with them. Shortly after re-election, Juncker found himself misinformed at a European Union summit over the condition of then-ailing Palestinian National Authority
leader Yasser Arafat
. Juncker mistakenly announced his death prematurely, before retracting the claim citing misunderstanding.
In 2005, Juncker inherited a second term as European President. Shortly after the expiration of his term came Luxembourg's referendum on ratification
, and Juncker staked his political career on its success, promising to resign if the referendum failed. The final result was a 56.5% Yes vote on an 88% turnout. His continued allegiance to European ideals earned him the 2006 Karlspreis
.
In 2009, he denounced the lifting of the excommunication of controversial bishop Richard Williamson, a member of the Society of Saint Pius X.
of any European Union state. It is often suggested in the press that he, like his predecessor Santer, will eventually give up his position as Prime Minister to assume the presidency of the European Commission, but Juncker continues to deny he has any plans to resign.
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Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
politician, 23rd and current Prime Minister of Luxembourg, since 20 January 1995. He is the longest standing head of government of any European Union state. He has been President of the Euro Group
Euro Group
The Euro Group or Eurogroup is a meeting of the finance ministers of the eurozone . It is the political control over the euro currency and related aspects of the EU's monetary union such as the Stability and Growth Pact...
, the political control over the euro currency, since the creation of a semi-permanent position in 2005.
Elected to the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
for the Christian Social People's Party
Christian Social People's Party
The Christian Social People's Party , abbreviated to CSV or PCS, is the largest political party in Luxembourg. The party follows a Christian Democratic and conservative ideology and, like most parties in Luxembourg, it is strongly pro-European...
in 1984
Luxembourgian legislative election, 1984
Legislative elections were held in Luxembourg on 17 June 1984. Voters elected all 64 members of the Grand Duchy's unicameral national legislature, the Chamber of Deputies.-Results:...
, Juncker was immediately promoted to Jacques Santer's cabinet as Minister for Work. He was Luxembourg's Minister for Finances from 1989 to 2009, and became Prime Minister when Santer became President of the European Commission
President of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission ― the executive branch of the :European Union ― the most powerful officeholder in the EU. The President is responsible for allocating portfolios to members of the Commission and can reshuffle or dismiss them if needed...
in 1995. In his capacity of Prime Minister, he also served two six-month terms as President of the European Council
President of the European Council
The President of the European Council is a principal representative of the European Union on the world stage, and the person presiding over and driving forward the work of the European Council...
, in 1997 and 2005.
Early life and education
Juncker was born in RedangeRedange
Redange or Redange-sur-Attert is a commune and town in western Luxembourg, near the border with Belgium. It is the capital of the canton of Redange. Redange is situated on the river Attert, a tributary of the Alzette....
and spent most of his childhood in Belvaux
Belvaux
Belvaux is a town in the commune of Sanem, in south-western Luxembourg. , the town has a population of 5,113. It is the administrative centre of Sanem commune. Belvaux is the twelfth-largest town in Luxembourg, and the largest not to have a commune named after it....
. His father had fought in World War II after being forcibly recruited into the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
, and was a steelworker and a member of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions
Confederation of Christian Trade Unions
-External links:* Official site....
. Juncker studied at Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine
Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre , commonly referred to as INF Clairefontaine , INF, or simply Clairefontaine, is the national association football centre that specializes in training French football players...
in Belgium before returning to Luxembourg to attain his baccalaureate
European Baccalaureate
The European Baccalaureate is awarded to students who successfully managed to complete the final year exam at a European School. These are mainly attended by students whose parents work for a European Institution. There are currently 14 European Schools.This diploma should not be confused with...
in the Lycée Michel Rodange
Lycée Michel Rodange
Lycée Michel Rodange, abbreviated to LMRL, is a high school in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is located on Campus Geesseknäppchen, along with several other educational institutions, most of which, including Lycée Michel Rodange, is in the quarter of Hollerich, in the south-west of...
. Around that time, in 1974, he joined the Christian Social People's Party. Juncker went on to study law at the University of Strasbourg
University of Strasbourg
The University of Strasbourg in Strasbourg, Alsace, France, is the largest university in France, with about 43,000 students and over 4,000 researchers....
, attaining a Master of Law degree in 1979. Although he was sworn into the Luxembourg Bar Council
Bar council
A bar council , in a Commonwealth country and in the Republic of Ireland, the Bar Council of Ireland is a professional body that regulates the profession of barristers together with the King's Inns. Solicitors are generally regulated by the Law society....
in 1980, he never practised as a lawyer.
Early political career
Juncker returned to Luxembourg, and his oratorical skills earned him a promotion to the position of Parliamentary SecretaryParliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
. He earned election to the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
for the first time in 1984 and immediately took the office of Minister for Labour under Jacques Santer. This led to a chairpersons' role at a number of meetings of the Council of the European Communities, where Juncker's pro-Europe credentials first emerged.
Shortly before the 1989 election, Juncker was seriously injured in a road traffic accident, spending two weeks in a coma. He nonetheless recovered in time to be returned to the Chamber of Deputies once more, picking up the Finance portfolio along with his Ministry of Labour post. The Ministry of Finance post is traditionally seen as a rite of passage
Rite of passage
A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures....
to the premiership of the country, and his eventual promotion to Prime Minister seemed at this time inevitable, with political commentators concluding that Santer was grooming Juncker as his heir. Juncker at this time accepted the position of Governor of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
.
Ascent to premiership
Juncker's second election to Parliament saw him gain prominence in the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Juncker chaired the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), becoming a key architect of the Maastricht Treaty
Maastricht Treaty
The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992 by the members of the European Community in Maastricht, Netherlands. On 9–10 December 1991, the same city hosted the European Council which drafted the treaty...
. Juncker was largely responsible for clauses on economic and monetary union (the process that would eventually give rise to the Euro) and was himself a signatory to the treaty in 1992, by which time he had taken over as parliamentary leader of the Christian Social People's Party.
Juncker was re-elected to the Chamber in 1994, maintaining both his ministerial roles. With Jacques Santer ready to be nominated as the next President of the European Commission
President of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission ― the executive branch of the :European Union ― the most powerful officeholder in the EU. The President is responsible for allocating portfolios to members of the Commission and can reshuffle or dismiss them if needed...
, it was only six months later, on 20 January 1995, that Grand Duke Jean
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg ruled Luxembourg from 1964 to 2000. He is the father of the current ruler, Grand Duke Henri, and the son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma...
approved the appointment of Juncker as Prime Minister, as part of a coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
The Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party , abbreviated to LSAP or POSL, is a social democratic political party in Luxembourg.The LSAP is the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, having won 13 of 60 seats at the 2009 election, and has one seat in the European Parliament...
. Juncker relinquished his post at the World Bank at this time (swapping it for governorship of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
) but maintained his previous ministerial positions; he was now the Minister of State, of Labour and Employment and of the Treasury.
Prime minister
Jacques Chirac
Jacques René Chirac is a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He previously served as Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988 , and as Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.After completing his studies of the DEA's degree at the...
and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl
Helmut Kohl
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl is a German conservative politician and statesman. He was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1973 to 1998...
. The press dubbed Juncker the Hero of Dublin for achieving an unlikely consensus between the two.
1997 brought the rotating Presidency of the European Council to Luxembourg for the first time in Juncker's administration. Juncker championed the cause of social integration
Social integration
Social integration, in sociology and other social sciences, is the movement of minority groups such as ethnic minorities, refugees and underprivileged sections of a society into the mainstream of societies...
in Europe, along with constituting the so-called "Luxembourg Process" for integrated European policy against unemployment. He also instigated the "Euro 11", an informal group of European finance ministers for matters regarding his Economic and Monetary Union ideals. For all of these initiatives, he was honored with the Vision for Europe Award
Vision for Europe Award
The Vision for Europe Award is an honour that has been bestowed annually since 1995 by the non-profit Edmond Israel Foundation in "recognition of outstanding achievements in taking Europe into the future."...
in 1998.
Juncker succeeded in winning another term as Prime Minister in the 1999 elections
Luxembourgian legislative election, 1999
Legislative elections were held in Luxembourg on June 13, 1999. Voters elected 60 members of the Grand Duchy's unicameral legislature, the Chamber of Deputies.The election coincided with the 1999 European Parliament election.-Candidates:-Overall results:...
, although the coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party was broken in favour of one with the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Luxembourg)
The Democratic Party , abbreviated to DP, is the major liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.Founded in...
. After the 2004 elections
Luxembourgian legislative election, 2004
Legislative elections were held in Luxembourg on 13 June 2004. Voters elected all 60 members of the Grand Duchy's unicameral legislature, the Chamber of Deputies...
, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party became the second largest party again, and Juncker again formed a coalition with them. Shortly after re-election, Juncker found himself misinformed at a European Union summit over the condition of then-ailing Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
leader Yasser Arafat
Yasser Arafat
Mohammed Yasser Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini , popularly known as Yasser Arafat or by his kunya Abu Ammar , was a Palestinian leader and a Laureate of the Nobel Prize. He was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization , President of the Palestinian National Authority...
. Juncker mistakenly announced his death prematurely, before retracting the claim citing misunderstanding.
In 2005, Juncker inherited a second term as European President. Shortly after the expiration of his term came Luxembourg's referendum on ratification
Luxembourgian referendum on the European Constitution
The Luxembourg referendum on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe is a referendum that was held on 10 July 2005 to decide whether Luxembourg should ratify the proposed Constitution of the European Union....
, and Juncker staked his political career on its success, promising to resign if the referendum failed. The final result was a 56.5% Yes vote on an 88% turnout. His continued allegiance to European ideals earned him the 2006 Karlspreis
Karlspreis
- See also :*Charlemagne*European integration*Leipzig Human Rights Award, originally called the "Alternative Charlemagne Award", formed in opposition to Clinton's recognition with the award- External links :* http://www.karlspreis.de/ *...
.
In 2009, he denounced the lifting of the excommunication of controversial bishop Richard Williamson, a member of the Society of Saint Pius X.
President of the Eurogroup
Juncker assumed the presidency of the Eurogroup on 1 January 2005. Juncker is currently the longest-serving head of governmentHead of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of any European Union state. It is often suggested in the press that he, like his predecessor Santer, will eventually give up his position as Prime Minister to assume the presidency of the European Commission, but Juncker continues to deny he has any plans to resign.
Awards and honours
- 1996 – Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
- 2001 – Honorary Doctor of the University of MünsterUniversity of MünsterThe University of Münster is a public university located in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The WWU is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, a society of Germany's leading research universities...
- 2003 – Honorary citizen of the city of TrierTrierTrier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
- 2003 – Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of RomaniaOrder of the Star of RomaniaThe Order of the Star of Romania is Romania's highest civil order. It is awarded by the President of Romania...
- 2003 – Quadriga PrizeQuadriga (award)Quadriga is an annual German award sponsored by Netzwerk Quadriga gGmbH, a non-profit organization based in Berlin. The award recognizes four people or groups for their commitment to innovation, renewal, and a pioneering spirit through political, economic, and cultural activities.The award consists...
of Werkstatt Deutschland - 2005 – Walter Hallstein Prize of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am MainJohann Wolfgang Goethe University of Frankfurt am MainThe Goethe University Frankfurt was founded in 1914 as a Citizens' University, which means that, while it was a State university of Prussia, it had been founded and financed by the wealthy and active liberal citizenry of Frankfurt am Main, a unique feature in German university history...
- 2006 – Charlemagne Prize of AachenAachenAachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
- 2007 – St. Liborius Medal for Unity and Peace of the Archdiocese of Paderborn
- 2007 – Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian RepublicOrder of Merit of the Italian RepublicThe Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
– November 19, 2007 - 2008 – Amilcar Cabral Medal, First Class of the Republic of Cape Verde
- 2008 – State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia
- 2008 – European Banker of the Year
- 2010 – Grand Gold Medal with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of AustriaDecoration for Services to the Republic of AustriaThe Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria...
- 2010 – Saarland Order of Merit
- Grand officier of the Légion d'honneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
See also
- Juncker-Poos MinistryJuncker-Poos MinistryThe Juncker-Poos Ministry was the government of Luxembourg between 26 January 1995 and 7 August 1999. It was led by, and named after, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and Deputy Prime Minister Jacques Poos.-26 January 1995 – 4 February 1998:...
(1995–99) - Juncker-Polfer MinistryJuncker-Polfer MinistryThe Juncker-Polfer Ministry was the government of Luxembourg between 7 August 1999 and 31 July 2004. It was led by, and named after, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and Deputy Prime Minister Lydie Polfer.-Ministers:...
(1999–2004) - Juncker-Asselborn Ministry I (2004–09)
- Juncker-Asselborn Ministry IIJuncker-Asselborn Ministry IIThe Juncker-Asselborn Ministry II is the current government of Luxembourg. It is led by, and named after, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and Deputy Prime Minister Jean Asselborn. It was formed on 23 July 2009, after the 2009 election to the Chamber of Deputies.-Ministers:...
(2009– )
External links
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