Viviane Reding

Viviane Reding is a Luxembourgish politician who has had a distinguished career in the European Union and Luxembourg. She has held various high-profile positions, including serving as a member of the European Parliament and as a European Commissioner. Reding has worked closely with notable figures such as José Manuel Barroso, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Angela Merkel. Her work has also been influenced by institutions like the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council.

Early life and education

Viviane Reding was born in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, and grew up in a family that valued European integration. She studied at the University of Paris and later at the Sorbonne, where she earned a degree in Humanities. Reding's early interests in politics and journalism led her to work as a journalist for the Luxemburger Wort and later as the editor-in-chief of the D'Lëtzebuerger Land. Her experiences were shaped by events like the Treaty of Rome and the Single European Act, which aimed to promote European unity and cooperation.

Political career

Reding's entry into politics was marked by her election to the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg) in 1979. She later became a member of the European Parliament in 1989, where she worked on committees such as the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. Reding's work in the European Parliament was influenced by notable politicians like Altiero Spinelli, Jacques Delors, and Helmut Kohl. She also collaborated with institutions like the European Investment Bank and the European Central Bank.

European Commissioner

In 1999, Reding was appointed as the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, a position she held until 2004. During her tenure, she worked on initiatives like the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Strategy, which aimed to promote education and innovation in Europe. Reding also collaborated with organizations like the European University Institute and the European Association for International Education. Her work was influenced by events like the Treaty of Amsterdam and the Treaty of Nice, which shaped the European Union's policies and institutions.

Vice-President of the European Commission

Reding served as the Vice-President of the European Commission from 2010 to 2014, with responsibility for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. In this role, she worked on initiatives like the European Citizens' Initiative and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Reding collaborated with institutions like the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, and worked with notable politicians like Vladimir Špidla and Neelie Kroes. Her work was also influenced by events like the Treaty of Lisbon and the European sovereign-debt crisis.

Later political activities

After leaving the European Commission, Reding continued to be involved in European politics. She has been a member of the European People's Party and has worked with organizations like the European Policy Centre and the Centre for European Policy Studies. Reding has also been involved in initiatives like the European Movement International and the Spinelli Group, which aim to promote European integration and cooperation. Her work has been influenced by events like the European migrant crisis and the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.

Personal life

Reding is married to Dimitri Zelenine, a Russian-Luxembourgish entrepreneur, and has three children. She has been recognized for her contributions to European integration and has received awards like the Robert Schuman Medal and the European Prize for Political Culture. Reding's work has also been influenced by institutions like the Luxembourg Institute for European and International Studies and the European Foundation for Democracy. Her legacy continues to shape the European Union's policies and institutions, and she remains a prominent figure in European politics. Category:European Commissioners