Jean-Claude Juncker
Jean-Claude Juncker (Luxembourgish: [ˈʒɑ̃ːkloːt ˈjuŋkɐ]; born 9 December 1954) is a Luxembourgish politician who was the 23rd prime minister of Luxembourg from 1995 to 2013 and 12th president of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019. He also was Finance Minister from 1989 to 2009 and President of the Eurogroup from 2005 to 2013.
Jean-Claude Juncker | |
|---|---|
Juncker in 2019 | |
| President of the European Commission | |
| In office 1 November 2014 – 30 November 2019 | |
| First Vice President | Frans Timmermans |
| Preceded by | José Manuel Barroso |
| Succeeded by | Ursula von der Leyen |
| 23rd Prime Minister of Luxembourg | |
| In office 20 January 1995 – 4 December 2013 | |
| Monarchs | Jean Henri |
| Deputy | Jacques Poos Lydie Polfer Jean Asselborn |
| Preceded by | Jacques Santer |
| Succeeded by | Xavier Bettel |
| President of the Eurogroup | |
| In office 1 January 2005 – 21 January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jeroen Dijsselbloem |
| Minister for the Treasury | |
| In office 23 July 2009 – 4 December 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Luc Frieden |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Minister for Finances | |
| In office 14 July 1989 – 23 July 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacques Santer Himself |
| Preceded by | Jacques Santer |
| Succeeded by | Luc Frieden |
| Minister for Work and Employment | |
| In office 20 July 1984 – 7 August 1999 | |
| Prime Minister | Jacques Santer |
| Preceded by | Jacques Santer |
| Succeeded by | François Biltgen |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 20 July 1984 – 20 July 1984 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 December 1954 Redange, Luxembourg |
| Political party | Christian Social People's Party (since 1974) |
| Other political affiliations | European People's Party |
| Spouse | Christiane Frising |
| Education | University of Strasbourg |
| Signature | |
By the time Juncker left office as prime minister in 2013, he was the longest-serving head of any national government in the EU and one of the longest-serving democratically elected leaders in the world, with his tenure encompassing the height of the European financial and sovereign debt crisis.[1] In 2005, he became the first permanent President of the Eurogroup.[2]
In 2014, the European People's Party (EPP) had Juncker as its lead candidate, or Spitzenkandidat, for the presidency of the Commission in the 2014 elections. This marked the first time that the Spitzenkandidat process was employed.[3] Juncker is the first president to have campaigned as a candidate for the position prior to the election, a process introduced with the Treaty of Lisbon. The EPP won 220 out of 751 seats in the Parliament. On 27 June 2014, the European Council officially nominated Juncker for the position,[4][5][6] and the European Parliament elected him on 15 July 2014 with 422 votes out of the 729 cast.[7] He took office on 1 November 2014 and served until 30 November 2019, when he was succeeded by Ursula von der Leyen.[8]
Juncker has stated that his priorities would be the creation of a digital single market, the development of an EU Energy Union, the negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade Agreement, the continued reform of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union—with the social dimension in mind, a "targeted fiscal capacity" for the Eurozone, and the 2015–2016 British EU membership renegotiations.[9]
Early life edit
Juncker was born in Redange and spent the majority of his childhood in Belvaux. His father, Joseph, was a steel worker and Christian trade unionist who was forcibly conscripted into the German Wehrmacht during World War II, following the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg.[10] Juncker has often remarked that the horrors of war he heard from his father's experiences had a profound influence in shaping his views on the need for European reconciliation and integration.[11][12] His mother was born Marguerite Hecker.[13] He studied at the Roman Catholic école apostolique (secondary school) at Clairefontaine on the edge of Arlon in Belgium, before returning to Luxembourg to study for his Baccalaureate at Lycée Michel Rodange. He joined the Christian Social People's Party in 1974.[14] He studied law at the University of Strasbourg, graduating with a master's degree in 1979; although he was sworn into the Luxembourg Bar Council in 1980, he never practised as a lawyer.
Juncker grew up in Belvaux, in the commune of Sanem in the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette in the south of Luxembourg. Dominated by coal and steel manufacturing, the neighbourhood was home to a multicultural workforce of Italian and Portuguese immigrants. This social environment influenced Juncker's way of thinking and his ideology of integration and togetherness. He visits his hometown as often as he can.
Juncker's father was heavily wounded during his service in the Wehrmacht at the Eastern Front, which left him visibly scarred. Throughout his life Joseph Juncker was also a member of the Christian Labour union, and he took his son to several union and party meetings, which impacted his son's political views even in his early days. Having come from a poor family, he made central to his political ideology the fight against social inequalities, and for equal opportunities and fairness for all people. Jean-Claude went to a Jesuit Boarding school close to the border of Belgium; as a schoolboy, Juncker negotiated and debated with the school's administrators on behalf of his classmates. Juncker was one of twelve children in a large household, where money was tight; he learned from a young age the importance of saving. This experience proved useful during his later role as Minister of Finance.[15]
Career in national politics edit
Early years edit
Following Juncker's graduation from the University of Strasbourg, he was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary. He later won election to the Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1984 and was immediately appointed to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Jacques Santer as Minister of Labour.[14] In the second half of 1985, Luxembourg held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Communities, permitting Juncker to develop his European leadership qualities as chair of the Social Affairs and Budget Councils.[14] It was here that Juncker's pro-Europe credentials first emerged.[14]
Shortly before the 1989 election Juncker was seriously injured in a road accident, spending two weeks in a coma.[14] He has stated that the accident has caused him difficulty with balancing since.[16] He nonetheless recovered in time to be returned to the Chamber of Deputies once more, after which he was promoted to become Minister for Finance, a post traditionally seen as a rite of passage to the country's premiership. His eventual promotion to prime minister seemed at this time inevitable, with political commentators concluding that Santer was grooming Juncker as his successor. Juncker at this time also accepted the position of Luxembourg's representative on the 188-member Board of Governors of the World Bank.[14]
Juncker's second election to Parliament, in 1989, saw him gain prominence within the European Union; Juncker chaired the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), during Luxembourg's 1991 presidency of the Council of the European Communities, becoming a key architect of the Maastricht Treaty.[14] Juncker was largely responsible for clauses on Economic and Monetary Union, the process that would eventually give rise to the euro, as well as in particular is credited with devising the "opt-out" principle for the UK to assuage its concerns.[14] Juncker was himself a signatory to the Treaty in 1992, having, by that time taken over as parliamentary leader of the Christian Social People's Party.[14]
Juncker was re-elected to the Chamber in 1994, maintaining his ministerial role. With Santer ready to be nominated as the next President of the European Commission, it was only six months later that Grand Duke Jean approved the appointment of Juncker as Prime Minister on 20 January 1995, as part of a coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party. Juncker relinquished his post at the World Bank at this time, but maintained his position as Minister for Finance.[14]
Premiership (1995–2013) edit
Juncker's first term as prime minister was focused on an economic platform of international bilateral ties to improve Luxembourg's profile abroad, which included a number of official visits abroad. During one such visit, to Dublin in December 1996, Juncker successfully mediated a dispute over his own EU Economic and Monetary Union policy between French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The press dubbed Juncker the "Hero of Dublin" for achieving an unlikely consensus between the two.[17]
1997 brought the rotating Presidency of the European Council to Luxembourg, during which time Juncker championed the cause of social integration in Europe, along with constituting the so-called "Luxembourg Process" for integrated European policy against unemployment. He also instigated the "Euro 11", an informal group of European finance ministers for matters regarding his Economic and Monetary Union ideals. For all of these initiatives, he was honoured with the Vision for Europe Award in 1998.[18]
Juncker succeeded in winning another term as prime minister in the 1999 election, although the coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party was broken in favour of one with the Democratic Party. After the 2004 election, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party became the second largest party again, and Juncker again formed a coalition with them.[14]
In 2005, Juncker inherited a second term as President of the European Council. Shortly after the expiration of his term came Luxembourg's referendum on ratification, and Juncker staked his political career on its success, promising to resign if the referendum failed. The final result was a 56.5% Yes vote on an 88% turnout. His continued allegiance to European ideals earned him the 2006 Karlspreis. In 2009, he denounced the lifting of the excommunication of controversial Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of the Society of Saint Pius X.[19]
Juncker supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya. Juncker added that he wanted NATO to take control of coalition military efforts in Libya as soon as possible.[20]
On 19 November 2012, RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg aired a story alleging that the former head of the State Intelligence Service (SREL), Marco Mille, had used a wristwatch to covertly record a confidential conversation with Juncker in 2008.[21][22] According to the report, although Juncker had later found out about the recording, he took no action against Mille and allowed him to leave the service in 2010 for a position with Siemens.[21][23] A transcript of the conversation was published by D'Lëtzebuerger Land, which highlighted the disorganised state of the secret service, mentioned links between Grand Duke Henri and MI6 and referred to the "Bommeleeër" scandal.[24][25] On 4 December 2012, the Chamber of Deputies voted to set up a Parliamentary Inquiry into allegations of SREL misconduct including the illegal bugging of politicians, purchase of cars for private use and allegations of taking payments and favours in exchange for access to officials.[26][27] The inquiry heard from witnesses who claimed that SREL had conducted six or seven illegal wiretapping operations between 2007 and 2009, as well as covert operations in Iraq, Cuba and Libya.[28][29] The report concluded that Juncker had to bear political responsibility for SREL's activities, that he had been deficient in his control over the service and that he had failed to report all of the service's irregularities to the enquiry commission.[27][30] Juncker himself denied wrongdoing.[31]
After a seven-hour debate in the Chamber of Deputies on 10 July, the withdrawal of support from the Christian Social People's Party's coalition partner, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), forced Juncker to agree to new elections.[32] Alex Bodry, President of LSAP and Chair of the Parliamentary Inquiry into SREL, declared his lack of confidence in Juncker, saying: "We invite the prime minister to take full political responsibility in this context and ask the government to intervene with the head of state to clear the path for new elections."[31] Juncker tendered his resignation to the Grand Duke on 11 July.[27] After the election, Juncker was succeeded on 4 December 2013 by Xavier Bettel.[33]
Career in European politics edit
Presidency of the Eurogroup edit
In 2004, the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers decided to replace the rotating chairmanship with a permanent president. Juncker was appointed as the first permanent president and assumed the chair on 1 January 2005. He was re-appointed for a second term in September 2006.[34] Under the Lisbon Treaty, this system was formalised and Juncker was confirmed for another term.[35] Juncker stepped down on 21 January 2013, when he was succeeded by Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem.[36]
During his period as "Mr. Euro", the group was instrumental in negotiating and supervising bailout packages for the countries that faced bankruptcy: Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus.[37]
Juncker was also an outspoken proponent of enhanced internal co-operation and increased international representation of the group.[38]
In a debate in 2011, during the height of the eurozone crisis, Juncker responded to a conference-goer's suggestion to increase the openness of the strategy discussions in the eurogroup, by stating: "When it becomes serious you have to lie".[39] Scholars of financial markets have remarked that the quote is often taken out of context by critics; best practice amongst monetary policy committees in most states is to keep negotiations on decisions confidential to prevent markets from betting against troubled countries until they are finalised. This need is complicated by the Eurozone's arrangements, in which policy negotiations are held in high-profile international summits of eurozone finance ministers, where leaks of ongoing negotiations may potentially put "millions of people at risk".[39] Indeed, the quote continues;
Monetary policy is a serious issue. We should discuss this in secret, in the Eurogroup. ... The same applies to economic and monetary policies in the Union. If we indicate possible decisions, we are fuelling speculations on the financial markets and we are throwing in misery mainly the people we are trying to safeguard from this. ... I'm ready to be insulted as being insufficiently democratic, but I want to be serious, ... I am for secret, dark debates.
He further stated that when asked by a journalist to comment on those meetings he had had to lie, making clear it went against his personal moral conviction as a Catholic.[42]
Presidency of the European Commission (2014–2019) edit
For the first time in 2014, the President of the European Commission was appointed under the new provisions established with the Treaty of Lisbon, which had entered into force after the 2009 Elections to the European Parliament, on 1 December 2009. Juncker's aide Martin Selmayr played a central role in his campaign and later during his presidency as Juncker's campaign director, head of Juncker's transition team and finally as Juncker's head of cabinet (chief of staff).
Primary election edit
Almost all major European political parties, put forward a lead candidate, or spitzenkandidat for their respective election campaign. At the election Congress of the European People's Party (EPP), held in Dublin on 6–7 March, Jean-Claude Juncker was elected the party's lead candidate for President of the commission, defeating Michel Barnier. The congress also adopted the EPP election manifesto, which was used by Juncker during his campaign.[43][44][45]
Election campaign edit
In the main debate between the candidates, transmitted live throughout Europe on 16 May via the European Broadcasting Union, all candidates agreed that it would be unacceptable if the European Council would propose someone as Commission President who had not publicly campaigned for the position ahead of the election.[46]
In the elections, held 22–25 May, the EPP won the most parliamentary seats of all parties (221 of 751), but short of a majority in its own right.[47]
Institutional approval edit
On 27 May, the leaders of five of the seven political groups of the parliament issued a statement that Jean-Claude Juncker, being the lead candidate of the party which won a plurality of the seats, should be given the first attempt to form the required majority to be elected Commission President. Only the ECR and EFD disagreed to this process.[48][49]
Later on 27 May, the European Council gave its president, Herman van Rompuy, the mandate to start consultations with the group leaders in the European Parliament to identify the best possible candidate. Having less influence over the appointment than under pre-Lisbon law, the Council instead made use of its right to set the strategic priorities, and included discussions with Parliament leaders and Council members alike for a strategic agenda for the upcoming period in Rompuy's mandate.
During the consultations, Juncker and the EPP agreed to cooperation with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the second largest group in the new parliament, as well as secured the backing of all but two member state leaders. In return for their support, the centre-left group and state leaders secured promises of a shift in focus away from austerity towards growth and job creation for the coming period, as well as promises of some of the top jobs.[51][52][53][54]
The European Council officially proposed Juncker to Parliament as candidate for the Presidency on 27 June, together with a strategic agenda setting out policy priorities for the upcoming Commission mandate period.[55]
For the first time the nomination was not by consensus, but the European Council voted 26–2 to propose Juncker for the position. Voting against were British PM David Cameron (Conservative Party / AECR) and Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán (Fidesz / EPP), both of whom had frequently opposed Juncker during the election process. Prior to the vote, various media had reported the heads of government of Sweden, Netherlands and Germany were also having similar concerns regarding either the candidate himself, or the way the nomination process was conducted.[56][57] This was however never confirmed by the politicians in question.
Once Juncker had been nominated by the Council he started visiting all of the political groups of the European Parliament in order to explain his visions as well as gain their support in order to get appointed as Commission President. The purpose was also to show that he had understood some criticism levelled by Eurosceptics in Brussels. This was demonstrated when the former prime minister of Luxembourg told the ECR lawmakers that "[d]espite what you may read in the British press, I do not want a United States of Europe," as well as "I do not believe that Europe can be constructed against the nation state."[58]
On 15 July, Juncker presented his political programme to the European Parliament in plenary. Following a debate, the MEPs appointed Juncker to the position of Commission President with 422 votes in favour, well over the 376 required, and 250 votes against.[59]
Controversies edit
In early November 2014, just days after becoming head of the commission, Juncker was hit by media disclosures—derived from a document leak known as LuxLeaks—that Luxembourg under his premiership had turned into a major European centre of corporate tax avoidance. With the aid of the Luxembourg government, companies transferred tax liability for many billions of euros to Luxembourg, where the income was taxed at a fraction of 1%. Juncker, who in a speech in Brussels in July 2014 promised to "try to put some morality, some ethics, into the European tax landscape", was sharply criticised following the leaks.[60] A subsequent motion of censure in the European Parliament was brought against Juncker over his role in the tax avoidance schemes. The motion was defeated by a large majority.[61] During his tenure, Juncker also oversaw the 2014 opening of the Luxembourg Freeport, which former German Member of European Parliament Wolf Klinz dubbed "fertile ground for money laundering and tax evasion".[62]
In January 2017, leaked diplomatic cables show Juncker, as Luxembourg's prime minister from 1995 until the end of 2013, blocked EU efforts to fight tax avoidance by multinational corporations. Luxembourg agreed to multinational businesses on an individualised deal basis, often at an effective rate of less than 1%.[63]
In July 2017, Juncker described the European Parliament as "ridiculous" after only a few dozen MEPs came to attend a debate dedicated to evaluating Malta's time holding the 6-month term rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, accusing MEPs of showing a lack of respect for smaller EU countries.[64] Although rebuked for his remark by the Parliament's president, Antonio Tajani, Juncker responded, "I will never again attend a meeting of this kind."[64] Jaume Duch Guillot, chief spokesman for the Parliament, later said on Twitter that Juncker "regretted" the incident and that Tajani considered the case closed. However, it is not known whether Juncker apologised for his outburst.[65]
Personal life edit
In addition to his native Luxembourgish, Juncker is fluent in English, French, German and Latin.[66]
Juncker suffers from sciatica attacks following a 1989 car accident, which cause him occasional unsteadiness while walking.[67] A video of Juncker stumbling and receiving assistance from several EU politicians at a NATO leaders' event in July 2018 prompted comments about his health, though his spokesman dismissed the concerns.[68]
Speculations about alcoholism surrounded Juncker for several years and have been discussed by several high-profile EU politicians.[69] In 2014, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, at the time Dutch Minister of Finance, described Juncker in an interview as a "heavy smoker and drinker", but later apologized for his comments.[70] Juncker himself has always denied these allegations in interviews.[71][67]
Juncker is married to Christiane Frising. The couple have no children.[citation needed]
Awards and decorations edit
National honours edit
- 1985: Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France)
- 1988: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Luxembourg)
- 1988: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator (Portugal)
- 2002: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor (France)
- 2003: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star (Romania)
- 2004: Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland)
- 2005: Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (Portugal)
- 2006: Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia)
- 2007: Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau (Luxembourg)[72]
- 2007: Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)[73]
- 2007: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
- 2010: Collar pro Merito Melitensi (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)
- 2010: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash (Austria)[74]
- 2013: Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer (Greece)
- 2013: Grand Cross of the Federal Order of Merit (Germany)
- 2013: Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great (Lithuania)[75]
- 2014: Order of Friendship (Kazakhstan)
- 2014: Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
- 2019: The First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Ukraine)[76]
- 2019: Companion with Star of the National Order of Merit (Malta)[77]
- 2020: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
Academic and other distinctions edit
- 1998: Honorary Doctorate of the Miami University
- 1998: "Vision for Europe Award" of the Edmond Israel Foundation[78]
- 1999: European Crafts Prize 1999 of North Rhine-Westphalia
- 2000: Insignia de l'Artisanat en Or (Gold Badge), of the Luxembourg Chamber of Crafts
- 2001: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Münster
- 2002: Cicero-Speakers Prize
- 2002: Prize of the European Federation of Taxpayers
- 2003: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Bucharest
- 2003: Honorary Citizenship of the City of Trier
- 2003: Heinrich Braun Award
- 2003: Quadriga Prize in the European Year of German Society Workshop
- 2004: Honorary Doctorate of the Democritus University of Thrace
- 2004: Honorary Citizen and Freeman of the City of Orestiada; with the unveiling of a street named after Prime Minister Juncker
- 2005: Walter Hallstein Prize
- 2005: Europeans of the Year
- 2005: Elsie Kuhn Leitz Prize from the "Association of Franco-German Companies"
- 2006: European of the Year 2005 from the French Press (Trombinoscope)
- 2006: International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen
- 2006: European Prize for Political Culture of the Hans Ringier Foundation
- 2007: Foreign Associate Member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, Institut de France in lieu of the late Léopold Sédar Senghor
- 2007: Patron of the not-for-profit Animal Protection Association "EV Newfoundlanders"
- 2007: St Liborius Medal for Unity and Peace of the Archdiocese of Paderborn
- 2007: Coudenhove-Kalergi Badge of the Europa-Union Münster
- 2007: Peace Prize of the European Foundation for Ecology and Democracy
- 2007: Honorary Doctorate of the Robert Schuman University of Strasbourg
- 2007: Honorary Member of the Grand Ducal Institute of Luxembourg, Department of Moral and Political Sciences
- 2008: Gold Medal of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe
- 2008: Amilcar Cabral Medal, First Class of the Republic of Cape Verde
- 2008: German Citizenship Prize
- 2008: Franz Josef Strauss Prize
- 2008: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Pittsburgh
- 2008: State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia
- 2008: Sharpest Blade Prize (City of Solingen)
- 2008: Small State Award of the Herbert Batliner-Europa Institute in Salzburg
- 2008: European Banker of the Year
- 2009: European Prize for Service Economies
- 2009: European Union Gold Medal (with Star)
- 2009: FASEL Foundation Award
- 2009: Social Market Economy, MA
- 2009: Honorary Senator of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
- 2010: Winfried Prize of the City of Fulda
- 2010: Thomas à Kempis honorary stele
- 2010: Honorary Doctorate of the Medicine University of Innsbruck
- 2010: Saarland Medal of Merit
- 2010: Collier of the Fondation du Mérite européen
- 2010: Hanns Martin Schleyer Foundation
- 2010: Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
- 2011: Order of Merit of Rhineland-Palatinate
- 2011: Honorary Doctorate of the Faculty of Law, University of Athens
- 2011: European Culture Prize
- 2012: Werner Blindert Prize
- 2012: Sigillum Magnum, University of Bologna
- 2012: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Sheffield
- 2013: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Porto
- 2017: Honorary Doctorate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- 2017: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Salamanca
- 2017: Honorary Doctorate of the University of Coimbra
- 2017: Gold Medal of the Charles University
See also edit
- List of prime ministers of Luxembourg
- Juncker–Poos Ministry (1995–1999)
- Juncker–Polfer Ministry (1999–2004)
- Juncker–Asselborn Ministry I (2004–2009)
- Juncker–Asselborn Ministry II (2009–2013)
- Luxembourg Leaks
References edit
- ^ McDonald-Gibson, Charlotte (11 July 2013). "Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker calls snap elections amid secret". The Independent. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "Jean-Claude Juncker, former president of the Eurogroup – Consilium". www.consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Crisp, James (13 February 2017). "The Brief: The race to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker". euractiv.com. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Results of the 2014 European elections – European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ "Summit backs Juncker in blow to UK". BBC News. 27 June 2014.
- ^ "EU leaders give thumbs up to Juncker, Britain isolated". euractiv.com. 27 June 2014.
- ^ "European Commission – PRESS RELEASES – Press release – A new start for Europe: My agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change". europa.eu.
- ^ "Juncker elected to top EU job". BBC News. 15 July 2014.
- ^ . juncker.epp.eu. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ SPIEGEL staff (19 June 2014). "Commission Crusade: Cameron Outmaneuvered in Battle over Juncker". Spiegel Online. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
his 90-year-old father burst into tears when a tabloid accused him of Nazi association. (The older Juncker was forceably recruited into the Wehrmacht following the occupation of Luxembourg.)
- ^ "Portrait: Into the mind of Jean-Claude Juncker". euronews. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Juncker, Jean-Claude (11 December 2006). The State of Europe (Speech). Lecture. University of Luxembourg: CVCE.EU by UNI.LU. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Juncker delivers keynote EU speech after mother's death". Reuters. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Jean-Claude Juncker". eu2005.lu. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ Kopeinig, Margaretha. Jean-Claude Juncker: Der Europäer. Wien: Czernin, 2004.p.23ff
- ^ Quatremer, Jean (13 September 2016). "Jean-Claude Juncker, verre de rage". Libération.fr (in French).
- ^ "Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker to Present Distinguished Lecture at Pitt April 10". news.pitt.edu. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Jean-Claude Juncker as Head of the EPP". democraticunion. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ . Gouvernement.lu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ Bodoni, Stephanie (24 March 2011). "Juncker Calls for NATO to Assume Control of Libya No-Fly Zone". Bloomberg L.P.
- ^ a b "Premier Juncker: Vum Geheimdéngscht mat Auer ofgelauschtert!". rtl.lu (in Luxembourgish). 26 November 2013.
- ^ Neuger, James (11 July 2013). "Secrets and Lies in Luxembourg". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Juncker tapped by secret service in 2008". Luxemburger Wort. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Secret recording alleges ties between Grand Duke and British Secret Service". Luxemburger Wort. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Wer bespitzelte Juncker und Henri?". Tageblatt (in German). 30 November 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Parliament to launch enquiry into secret service activities". Luxemburger Wort. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ a b c "Luxembourg PM Juncker offers government resignation". BBC News. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ "SREL director reveals illegal wire tapping". Luxemburger Wort. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ Robinson, Frances (10 July 2013). "Luxembourg Juncker: Secret Service Wasn't My Top Priority". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ . Luxemburger Wort. 21 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Luxembourg spying scandal breaks Juncker government". Reuters. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ "Luxembourg Prime Minister Juncker calls for new elections amid scandal". Deutsche Welle. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Junker passes Prime Minister baton to Xavier Bettel". luxtimes.lu. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Juncker re-elected Eurogroup president, voicing optimism over economic growth". People's Daily. 9 September 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Willis, Andrew (2 December 2009). "Luxembourg leader set to extend euro zone reign". EUobserver. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Fox, Benjamin (10 January 2013). "Dijsselbloem to replace Juncker as Eurogroup chief". EUobserver. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Who is Jean-Claude Juncker?". EUobserver. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Willis, Andrew (19 January 2010). "Juncker wants more eurozone activism". EUobserver.
- ^ a b "Economic policy of the eurozone needs to be decided in "dark, secret rooms"". EUobserverTV. 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Jean-Claude Juncker's most outrageous political quotations", The Daily Telegraph, The Foreign Staff, 15 July 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
- ^ "Eurogroup chief: 'I'm for secret, dark debates'", EUobserver, 21 April 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
- ^ Pop, Valentina (21 April 2011). "Eurogroup chief: 'I'm for secret, dark debates'". EUobserver. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ . EPP. 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ . EPP. 7 March 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ . European People's Party. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "Eurovision debate". European Parliament. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Results of the 2014 European elections". European Parliament. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ Nielsen, Nikolaj (27 May 2014). "Juncker given first shot at EU commission job". EUobserver. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Conference of Presidents statement on Commission President election | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Remarks by President Herman Van Rompuy following the informal dinner of Heads of State or Government" (PDF). www.europarl.europa.eu. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Loosen EU budget rules in return for support, Socialists tell Juncker". EUobserver. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Italian PM seeks austerity relief in return for Juncker backing". The Guardian. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Centre-right to strike deal with centre-left on Juncker, Schulz". EUobserver. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Socialist leaders back Juncker, want other top jobs". EurActiv. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Strategic agenda for the Union in times of change" (PDF). European Council. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Merkel meets Juncker opponents in Sweden mini-summit". DW. 10 June 2014. from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "The battle for the European Commission – Has Merkel lost her touch?". Economist. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Juncker tells Parliament Eurosceptics he is no federalist". EurActiv. Reuters. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Parliament elects Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President". European Parliament. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Bowers, Simon (5 November 2014). "Luxembourg tax files: how tiny state rubber-stamped tax avoidance on an industrial scale". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ Traynor, Ian (27 November 2014). "Jean-Claude Juncker saved from censure over Luxembourg tax schemes". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ Wood, L. Todd (30 December 2018). "Europe isn't ready to take hard line on terror financing". UPI. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ Bowers, Simon (1 January 2017). "Jean-Claude Juncker blocked EU curbs on tax avoidance, cables show". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b Rankin, Jennifer (4 July 2017). "Jean-Claude Juncker criticises 'ridiculous' European parliament". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ de La Baume, Maïa; M. Herszenhorn, David (4 July 2017). "Jean-Claude Juncker: 'The Parliament is ridiculous'". POLITICO. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ Thomas, Kelly (24 April 2014). "Next EU Commission President will be a polyglot". euractiv.com. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ a b "EU chief's stumbling 'caused by sciatica'". BBC News. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (13 July 2018). "Questions mount about Juncker's health". Politico. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ . Reuters. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016.
- ^ Karnitschnig, Matthew; Palmeri, Tara; Heath, Ryan (16 June 2016). "The time of Juncker's troubles". POLITICO.
- ^ Rankin, Jennifer (13 July 2018). "We have high level of confidence in Juncker, says Germany". The Guardian.
- ^ "Jean-Claude Juncker Photostream".
- ^ Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación (17 April 2007). "Real Decreto 483/2007, de 16 de abril, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica a los señores que se citan" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). 92. ISSN 0212-033X.
- ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). p. 1978. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ^ "Remise d'une très haute décoration lituanienne au Premier ministre luxembourgeois". me.gouvernement.lu (in French). 12 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Poroshenko presents awards to Tusk and Juncker". Ukrinform. 14 May 2019.
- ^ SCORCIA, Andrea (30 July 2019). "President Juncker receives Malta's National Order of Merit". Malta – European Commission. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "ECB: The European project and the challenges of the future". Ecb.europa.eu. 11 November 1999. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
External links edit
- . Archived from the original on 19 February 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010. at the Luxembourg Government
- some Reuters articles
- Profile: EU's Jean-Claude Juncker; BBC News
- EPP Juncker 2014 campaign site 30 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- Appearances on C-SPAN