Jean-Claude Juncker - head of the European Commission

Jean-Claude Juncker was born in 1954 in the duchy of Luxembourg, one of the smallest European states. The Junker felt the consequences of the war, as during the Second World his father was forced to join the ranks of the German army.

Where did he get his education?

During his youth, Junker studied in three different countries. He received his primary education in Belvo (Luxembourg), attended a secondary school in Belgian Clerfontaine, but at the end he returned to his homeland and passed the examinations for the certificate in Luxembourg. In 1975, he enrolled in the Faculty of Law of the University of Strasbourg in France. Exactly according to the schedule, in 1979 the future chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker received a diploma. This proves that he was a very smart guy who, in addition to everything else, also spoke no less than five different languages.

What did he do after 1979?

It was a long time ago, but even then, Mr. Junker showed a propensity for politics. Instead of going to work for a law firm, he offered his knowledge of the Christian-Social People's Party (CHPP) and in 1982, at the age of 28, received the post of Secretary of State for Labor and Social Security. Obviously, Junker already showed himself to be an industrious politician, therefore two years later he was appointed to the post of Minister of Labor. In 1989, Juncker assumed the duties of Minister of Finance, and he was so pleased that he retained this post until 2009. In January 1995, Jean-Claude Juncker became Prime Minister of Luxembourg. He held this position until December 2013, almost 19 years, during which he won successively in three general elections and was the head of four coalitions (with liberals or socialists, depending on the situation). From this we can conclude that he did a good job of his duties.

Did he have any mistakes?

Of course, sometimes he also became a figmenter of scandals, and as a result, one of them even lost his prime minister's seat. This happened after information leaked to the press about the illegal wiretapping of phones of representatives of the local establishment, organized by the Luxembourg secret services (there are, it turns out, such). Employees of special services passed the information to Junker, but at the same time proved to be so impudent that they listened to him as well. This did not prevent him from running for re-election, as a result he received more votes than anyone else. However, this time the premier failed to agree with the socialists and liberals, who concluded a deal behind him.

What did he do for Europe?

We already know that Junker is a fairly hardworking person. When it comes to Europe, it works with redoubled force and, it seems, is ready to throw all the energy to defend their beliefs. The fact that he was simultaneously holding the posts of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance made him an expert on all matters taking place in Brussels, and therefore in the European Council and at meetings of the Council of Ministers of Economics. In his 25 years as minister and prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker survived the signing of four fundamental agreements, one draft constitution (rejected), a technological bubble, several world and many European crises, accession to the European Union of sixteen new states, the birth of a single currency. And to all this he put his hand.

Economy

Junker deserved much praise for his work in the Council of Ministers of Finance and Economics of the European Union (ECOFIN). He was one of the creators of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU, the predecessor of the euro), as well as the Stability and Growth Pact. Junker for eight years was the head of the Eurogroup, the meeting of the finance ministers of European countries. In December 1996, at a meeting of the European Council in Dublin, he was a key intermediary in all matters relating to the implementation in the coming years of the Stability and Growth Pact (GSP), created by German Finance Minister Theo Weigel. In fact, it is a list of all the pros and cons for states wishing to join the euro area. It was assumed that compliance with all requirements will be monitored by a special commission, but several years later it turned out that this process is becoming more like the case where the blind supervises other blind people.

In January 2013, Juncker handed over his post to the Dutch finance minister, Yerun Daiselblum (they say that the damp Brussels air was then filled with sad guitar sounds and voices singing about leaving friends that take away a part of your soul).

Policy

As a member of the Council of Ministers of Finance (ECOFIN), Jean-Claude Juncker first gained fame as a world-class politician when he directed the preparation of the Maastricht Treaty. Officially it was called the "Treaty on the European Union" and was approved at a meeting of the Council of Europe in Maastricht in December 1991, signed in February 1992 and entered into force on November 1, 1993.

Later, he continued to move in this direction, working on the Treaty of Amsterdam (the logical continuation of Maastricht) and simultaneously engaged in the Luxembourg process, whose goal was to supplement existing practices and financial agreements with schemes of social integration with an emphasis on creating jobs.

What was his role during the crisis?

Throughout this economic drama Junker played the role of "good guy." As chairman of the Eurogroup, he was one of the key figures in the development of assistance programs and financial funds used to stabilize the euro. Usually this was done through the so-called Frankfurt Group - an informal meeting of financial officials and, in the opinion of some, a real shadow authority in the EU.

Working in this group, Juncker stayed away from the adherents of the most rigorous and dogmatic views, actively cooperated with those who favor a combination of rigor and growth stimulation, and also worried about the growing gap between the states of the economy of the northern and southern countries.

That is why, in December 2010, he, together with the Italian Minister of Finance Giulio Tremonti, on behalf of the heads of 27 states, then members of the EU, proposed the European debt agency to issue bonds (the famous Eurobonds). The agency must assume the responsibilities of the European Financial Stability Facility, a mechanism designed to help countries in crisis situations and completely dependent on voluntary contributions from the governments of the participating countries.

Who appointed him?

Jean-Claude Juncker was chosen by the people. All major European parties nominate their candidates for the European Parliament elections, and Jean-Claude Juncker headed the People's Party list.

To say that Juncker never shies away from work will be a very great understatement. Immediately after the election, the new chairman delivered a speech on the goals. He simultaneously demonstrated his oratorical skills and acknowledged previous mistakes, comparing the measures taken in Europe during the crisis, with the "repair of a burning aircraft right in the air." Simply put, Jean-Claude Juncker said that in the end the crash was avoided, but the dangerous edge was very close and some things just could not be done better. He further stressed that the success of the future European policy largely depends on restoring the confidence of citizens and overcoming the problems that the society and economy of Europe are facing.

Will he cope with the tasks?

To guess here is useless, so just consider the qualities of the Junker as a politician. Before him is a very difficult task, which requires firm determination and iron will. Juncker has already proved that he has these qualities, complementing his commitment to the ideas of European federalism.

If Junker needs help, he will always be able to get it from his associates and party comrades who will help find solutions to the many accumulated problems. This is especially true of the social sphere, where the European Union needs to make significant progress in the near future.

Most likely, the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is exactly the person who can achieve the maximum result, however, his path will not be strewn with roses.