Jean-Claude Juncker

Jean-Claude Juncker is a Luxembourgish and European politician who served as Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1995 to 2013 and as President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019. He was born on December 9, 1954, into a family of steelworkers in Redange-sur-Attert, Luxembourg.

In 1979, Juncker graduated from law school at the University of Strasbourg (France) and became a member of the Luxembourg Bar. In 1980, he was admitted as a lawyer to the Luxembourg Bar but never practiced as a lawyer.

From 1982 to 1984, Juncker was Secretary of State for Labor and Social Security. In 1984, he was first elected as a member of the Luxembourg Parliament. From 1984 to 1989, he served as Minister of Labor and then as Minister of Finance in the government of Jacques Santer. During this time, Juncker was also the head of the World Bank for Luxembourg.

From 1990 to 1995, Juncker was the chairman of the Christian Social People's Party. Following the appointment of Jacques Santer as President of the European Commission, Juncker was appointed Prime Minister of Luxembourg on January 20, 1995, in a coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party.

Juncker was the longest-serving head of government among his peers in Europe. He simultaneously served as Minister of State and Minister of Labor (1995-1999) as well as Minister of Finance (1995-2013).

In 2013, he resigned as Prime Minister after a scandal involving the Luxembourg Intelligence Services (SREL) regarding corruption and illegal surveillance practices of politicians was uncovered. The investigation commission held the Prime Minister responsible for the activities of the SREL under his leadership.

Juncker supports the introduction of Eurobonds, facing resistance from the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble on this issue.

In 2004, he was considered a possible candidate for the presidency of the European Commission.

In January 2005, he was elected chairman of the Eurogroup three times (an association of finance ministers of the Eurozone). In July 2012, his term was extended for another 2.5 years, but he resigned in January 2013.

Juncker is one of the most influential politicians in the European Union. He actively advocates for the advancement of the EU. Juncker was one of the initiators of the Maastricht Treaty (1992, a foundational treaty of the EU) and the introduction of the single European currency (1999). He was one of the architects of the EU Stability and Growth Pact (1997), which limited the maximum allowable budget deficit of member states (3% of GDP) and public debt (60% of GDP). He supports integration within the EU and the strengthening of EU institutions.

It should be noted that Juncker initiated the first EU-Ukraine summit on September 5, 1997. He then referred to himself as the main lobbyist for Ukraine in the EU. Juncker supports Ukraine's European integration.

On July 16, 2019, Ursula von der Leyen became President of the European Commission, succeeding Juncker.

Honors. Grand Cross of the Order (Norway, 1996), Grand Cross of the Star of Romania (2003), Honorary Citizen of Trier (2003), Grand Cross of the Order 'For Merits to the Italian Republic' (2007), Order 'Dostyk' of the 1st Class (Kazakhstan, 2008), Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor (France, 2002), Decoration 'For Merits to the Republic of Austria' (2010), Order 'For Merits' (Saarland, 2010), Order 'For Merits' (Baden-Württemberg, 2011). In 2006, he received the International Charlemagne Prize for Luxembourg's government contributions to European integration.

Family. Juncker is married. Juncker's father was a steelworker and a member of the Christian Trade Union Association.