former Deputy Prime Minister Jacques Poos dies at 86
Jacques Poos, a member of the LSAP, was in particular Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1984 and 1999 in the governments led by Jacques Santer and Jean-Claude Juncker. He also officiated between 1964 and 1976 as director of the Tageblatt. This Saturday morning, he died at the age of 86.
A great Luxembourg politician is dead. Jacques Poos is best remembered as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held for 15 years, between 1984 and 1999. His political career, but also private, was not however limited to the function of head of diplomacy, far from it.
Studies in Lausanne
Jacques Poos was born on June 3, 1935 in Luxembourg. After completing his secondary studies at the Athénée and his university studies in economics in Lausanne, he returned to the Grand Duchy in 1958. In 1961, a doctorate in economics and commercial sciences followed, when Jacques Poos had already completed his professional career at the Ministry of the Economy. The young civil servant will continue his career at Statec (1962-1964).
Director of Tageblatt
Then came the first major turning point in the life of Jacques Poos. In 1964, he was appointed director of the Tageblatt. He signed with great pleasure a number of publishers and, in addition, translated the Association of Publishers (1970-1976). The appeal of his LSAP party was to lead the young deputy Poos, elected in 1974, to high political spheres in 1976.
Minister of Finances
Since 1974, Luxembourg has been governed for the first time by a liberal-socialist coalition, interpreted by Gaston Thorn. In July 1976, Socialist Finance Minister Raymond Vouel left the government to become European Commissioner in Brussels. Jacques Poos succeeded him on July 21, 1976.
The steel crisis was to become the first major challenge in the long career of the socialist minister, having made his political debut in 1969 at the municipal council of Esch-sur-Alzette.
In 1979, the CSV returned to power with the DP as a coalition partner. Returned to the opposition, the LSAP also momentarily “lose” its outgoing minister, who was beginning a career as a banker.
Vice Prime Minister
Head of the list of the Socialist Party in the South for the legislative elections of 1984, Jacques Poos would however quickly make his return to politics and government. In the coalition newly formed by the CSV and the LSAP, the elected southerner inherited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position he would not leave until 1999.
Three presidencies of the Council of the EU and the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 are among the great accomplishments of Jacques Poos. He has also long been committed to peace in the Middle East.
As Deputy Prime Minister, Jacques Poos will keep his party successively in the governments led by the Christian-Socialists Jacques Santer (1984-1995) and Jean-Claude Juncker (1995-1999).
The other ministerial portfolios held by Jacques Poos were Economy (1984-1989), Health (1988-1989) and Public Force (1989-1994).
European deputy
In 1999, Jacques Poos left the Luxembourg political scene and joined the European Parliament. During his only mandate, the socialist was elected to the post of vice-president of the European hemicycle.
Retired in 2004
Jacques Poos’ political career ended in 2004.
L’Eschois de Coeur was married twice and was the father of three children.
The Daily sends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.