Paul Helminger
Encyclopedia
Paul Helminger is a Luxembourg
politician
who was Mayor of Luxembourg City from 1999 to November 2011. He is a member of the Chamber of Deputies
for the Democratic Party
(since 1994, and previously from 1984 until 1989).
in 1940, Paul Helminger moved with his family to Belair
, a quarter in western Luxembourg City, when he was one year old. After he attained his baccalaureate in the Athénée de Luxembourg
in 1959, Helminger went on to study law at the Sorbonne
in Paris
until 1963. At the same time, he also studied at the Institut d'Études Politiques
and attained a degree in international relations
in 1963. In 1964, he finished his doctorate
in jurisprudence
, before moving to the United States to finish his studies in political science
at Stanford University
.
Helminger started to work in diplomacy for the state of Luxembourg in 1966 and represented the country in London
, Helsinki
and Geneva
, until 1974, when Prime Minister Gaston Thorn
made him his Chief of Cabinet.
In the Werner-Thorn Ministry
, he was from 1979 to 1984 Secretary of State for external relations, development aid
and economy.
He was deputy
from 1984 to 1989, and again since 1994.
Since 1987, Helminger has also been member of the city council
of Luxembourg City
. He became alderman
in 1991 and mayor in 1999. On 21 November 2011, he presided over the city council for the last time, retiring in favour of Xavier Bettel
. Helminger received a standing ovation for his excellent work as mayor of the city.
from 1994 to 2003.
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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
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was Mayor of Luxembourg City from 1999 to November 2011. He is a member of 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 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...
(since 1994, and previously from 1984 until 1989).
Biography
Born in Esch-sur-AlzetteEsch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
in 1940, Paul Helminger moved with his family to Belair
Belair, Luxembourg
Belair is a quarter in western Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It has Luxembourg's national stadium, Stade Josy Barthel named after Luxembourg's only Olympic gold medal winner, the city's main fire station and the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg hospital.In 2001, the quarter had a...
, a quarter in western Luxembourg City, when he was one year old. After he attained his baccalaureate in the Athénée de Luxembourg
Athénée de Luxembourg
The Athénée de Luxembourg , is a high school in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It's commonly called Stater Kolléisch or De Kolléisch, and is the nation's oldest high school.-Brief history:...
in 1959, Helminger went on to study law at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
until 1963. At the same time, he also studied at the Institut d'Études Politiques
Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris
The Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
and attained a degree in international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
in 1963. In 1964, he finished his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, before moving to the United States to finish his studies in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
.
Helminger started to work in diplomacy for the state of Luxembourg in 1966 and represented the country in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
and Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, until 1974, when Prime Minister Gaston Thorn
Gaston Thorn
Gaston Egmond Thorn was a Luxembourg politician who served in a number of high-profile positions, both domestically and internationally...
made him his Chief of Cabinet.
In the Werner-Thorn Ministry
Werner-Thorn Ministry
The Werner-Flesch Ministry was the government of Luxembourg between 22 November 1980 and 20 July 1984. Throughout the ministry, the Deputy Prime Minister was Colette Flesch, replacing Gaston Thorn, who had been Deputy Prime Minister in the Werner-Thorn Ministry.-16 July 1979 – 3 March 1980:-3...
, he was from 1979 to 1984 Secretary of State for external relations, development aid
Development aid
Development aid or development cooperation is aid given by governments and other agencies to support the economic, environmental, social and political development of developing countries.It is distinguished...
and economy.
He was deputy
Deputy (legislator)
A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....
from 1984 to 1989, and again since 1994.
Since 1987, Helminger has also been member of the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
of Luxembourg City
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
. He became alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in 1991 and mayor in 1999. On 21 November 2011, he presided over the city council for the last time, retiring in favour of Xavier Bettel
Xavier Bettel
Xavier Bettel is a Luxembourgish politician and lawyer, currently the mayor of Luxembourg City as well as a member of the Chamber of Deputies and communal council....
. Helminger received a standing ovation for his excellent work as mayor of the city.
Private life
Paul Helminger is married and has seven children. He was president of the Luxembourg Tennis FederationLuxembourg Tennis Federation
The Luxembourg Tennis Federation is the tennis governing body in Luxembourg and responsible for the development of the game in the country.-Tennis in Luxembourg:...
from 1994 to 2003.
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