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Death of Jacques Delors: a life in the service of Europe
Death of Jacques Delors: a life in the service of Europe – (France 2)
The politician Jacques Delors died on February 27 at the age of 98. He was one of the most ardent defenders of the European Union.
Ten years of presidency, a record for longevity at the head of the European Commission. He took office in January 1985. The then former Prime Minister of François Mitterand, Jacques Delors, announced his style, calm and austere: “I will not make rash promises, I will not fall into Euro-pessimism”, he said during his speech. During these ten years, he represented Europe to leaders around the world.
A vision of an economic and political Europe
The socialist advocated the single market and the Schengen area, he also defends the Maastricht Treaty, but refuses to see Europe solely as an economic project: “Europe needs political will and political structure.” Under his presidency, Spain and Portugal joined the European Union, Erasmus was created, the CAP was reformed and the blue star-spangled flag became the symbol of Europe. He left the commission in 1994 to the applause of senior officials. However, he continues to be heard. During the Covid epidemic, for example, he denounced the lack of solidarity among 27-year-olds. In one of his last interventions, he called for the creation “a European joie de vivre.”
