Jacques Santer

Jacques Santer
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Name	Jacques Santer
Office	Prime Minister of Luxembourg
Term start	1984
Term end	1995
Predecessor	Pierre Werner
Successor	Jean-Claude Juncker

Jacques Santer is a Luxembourgish politician who served as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1984 to 1995 and as the President of the European Commission from 1995 to 1999. During his tenure, he worked closely with other European leaders, including Helmut Kohl, François Mitterrand, and John Major. Santer's career has been marked by his involvement in various international organizations, such as the European Union, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe. He has also been associated with notable figures like Karl Otto Pöhl, Wim Duisenberg, and Alexander Lamfalussy.

● Early Life and Education

Jacques Santer was born in Wasserbillig, a small town in eastern Luxembourg, near the border with Germany. He studied law at the University of Paris and later at the University of Amsterdam, where he earned his degree in law. Santer's early life and education were influenced by his family's strong ties to the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), a major political party in Luxembourg. He was also influenced by prominent Luxembourgish politicians, including Pierre Werner and Gaston Thorn, who played important roles in shaping the country's European integration policies.

● Career

Santer's career in politics began in the 1970s, when he became a member of the Luxembourgish Parliament and later served as the Minister for Social Security and the Minister for Labour in the government of Pierre Werner. He worked closely with other European politicians, such as Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Helmut Schmidt, and James Callaghan, to address issues related to European Monetary Union and European Economic Community. Santer's experience in the Luxembourgish government prepared him for his future roles in European politics, including his presidency of the European Commission and his involvement in the Delors Committee.

● European Commission Presidency

As the President of the European Commission, Santer played a key role in shaping the European Union's policies and institutions, particularly during the Maastricht Treaty negotiations. He worked closely with other European leaders, including Romano Prodi, Gerhard Schröder, and Tony Blair, to address issues related to European integration, monetary union, and enlargement of the European Union. Santer's presidency was also marked by his involvement in the BSE crisis and the European Commission's resignation in 1999, which was triggered by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. He was succeeded by Manuel Marín as the interim president of the European Commission.

● Later Career and Activities

After his resignation as the President of the European Commission, Santer continued to be involved in European politics, serving as a member of the European Parliament and as a special advisor to the European Commission. He has also been involved in various international organizations, such as the Trilateral Commission and the European Policy Centre, and has worked closely with prominent figures like Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and George Soros. Santer has received several awards and honors for his contributions to European integration, including the Charlemagne Prize and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown.

● Personal Life

Santer is married to Danielle Santer and has two children. He is a member of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Luxembourg Red Cross and the Caritas Luxembourg. Santer has also been recognized for his contributions to the development of the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg School of Finance. Throughout his career, Santer has maintained close relationships with other European leaders, including Jean-Claude Juncker, Viviane Reding, and Martine Reicherts, and has continued to play an active role in shaping the European Union's policies and institutions. Category:European Commissioners