One of the most important architects of the European Union (EU), who presided over the Commission for nine key years in the process of European construction, Jacques Delors, died this Wednesday at the age of 98, as confirmed by his daughter, Martine Aubry. socialist like him and mayor of Lille.
Jacques Delors “died this morning [yesterday Wednesday] while sleeping at his home in Paris,” his daughter told the French media.
Delors was the visible head of the EU that Spain joined in 1986, then still called the European Economic Community (EEC). Between 1985 and 1994, as President of the Commission, Delors was the protagonist of the most important advances of the now Union, leading milestones such as the creation of the European single market, the signing of the Schengen agreements, the Single European Act, the launch of the exchange program of Erasmus students, from which millions of young Europeans and thousands of Spaniards have benefited, the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the implementation of the Economic and Monetary Union, which is why he is known as the father of the euro.
The European Union would not be the same today without the strong impulse that Delors gave it continuously for almost 10 years.
Before piloting the construction of Europe, Delors was Minister of Economy of France from 1981 to 1984, in the first socialist government of François Mitterrand. He represented the centrist wing of the Socialist Party (PS) from Paris and also later from Brussels.
When he abandoned his responsibilities in Europe and for months, in France it was assumed that he would be a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, since he would have almost certainly given victory to the PS.
However, at the end of 1994, he surprised all of France with his resignation from leading the candidacy, an announcement that came after six months of suspense and live on television before 13 million viewers, which left the French stunned. “I am going to turn 70,” she said, “I have been working tirelessly for 50 years and it is more reasonable, in these circumstances, to foresee a lifestyle more balanced between reflection and action.”
From that moment on, Delors withdrew from the front line of politics, but continued to participate in different foundations and in French life, where he always enjoyed great prestige.
In March 2020, when the worst crisis to hit the world in the 21st century, the Covid-19 pandemic, broke out in all its harshness, he asked the heads of state and government of the EU for greater solidarity at a time when the one that was discussed about the joint response to that terrible crisis. Subsequently, the historic reconstruction and resilience funds were launched.
Born in Paris on July 20, 1925 into a simple Catholic family, Jacques Delors was active in the Christian Workers Youth (JOC), to which he remained linked throughout his life. Already at the age of 49 he joined the PS late.
He married Marie Lephaille in 1948, who died in 2020. They had two children: Martine Aubry, born in 1950, and Jean-Paul, born in 1953 and died of leukemia at only 29 years old.
