Led the European Commission, driving European integration and economic unity, and is credited with laying the groundwork for the single European currency, the euro.
Jacques Delors, a French politician, is renowned for spearheading the creation of the single market, the euro, and the modern European Union. As the eighth president of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, Delors played a pivotal role in shaping the European economy and promoting unity among member nations.
Born on July 20, 1925, in Paris, Delors originates from Corrze. He held various posts in French banking and state planning with the Bank of France during the 1940s through the 1960s. As a member of the French Confederation of Christian Workers (CFTC), Delors participated in its secularization and the foundation of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT).
In 1969, Delors became social affairs adviser to the Gaullist Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas, gaining media attention for the first time. He left the CFDT in 1957 to avoid conflicts of interest when he became a high government official. In 1974, Delors joined the Socialist Party, alongside other left-wing Christians, standing out as one of the rare openly religious members.
Delors' presidency of the European Commission (1985-1995) was marked by his vision for a unified Europe. He implemented policies that closely linked member nations, promoting the need for unity and creating a single market that enabled the free movement of persons, capital, goods, and services within the European Economic Community (EEC).
Delors headed the Delors Committee, which proposed the monetary union and the creation of the euro, a single currency to replace individual national currencies. This vision was realized with the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.
Delors' contributions have had a lasting impact on modern European society. He is credited with promoting European integration, fostering economic growth, and shaping the European Union into the powerful entity it is today.
Delors was a devoted family man, married to Marie Lephaille, and had two children. He was known for his strong Catholic faith, which influenced his political beliefs and actions.
"We must not only forge a singles market, but also a single society."
"Europe is not a market, it's a project."
Delors' presidency of the European Commission coincided with a tumultuous period in European history, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. His vision for a unified Europe played a significant role in shaping the continent's future and cemented his place as one of the most influential European leaders of the 20th century.
Jacques Delors passed away on December 27, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of unity, cooperation, and a stronger European Union.
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