Jean-Claude Juncker facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids The Honorable Jean-Claude Juncker
Juncker in 2019

12th 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
Monarch	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	(1954-12-09) 9 December 1954 (age 70) 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

Jean-Claude Juncker (born 9 December 1954) is a well-known politician from Luxembourg. He served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1995 to 2013. He then became the 12th President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019.

Juncker also held important roles as Finance Minister from 1989 to 2009. He was also the President of the Eurogroup from 2005 to 2013. The Eurogroup is a meeting of finance ministers from countries that use the euro currency.

When Juncker finished his time as Prime Minister in 2013, he had been in charge of his country's government longer than any other leader in the European Union (EU). He was also one of the longest-serving leaders in the world who was chosen by democratic elections. His time as Prime Minister included the main part of the European financial crisis. This was a time when some countries using the euro currency faced big money problems.

In 2014, the European People's Party (EPP) chose Juncker as their main candidate for the President of the European Commission. This was a new way of choosing the President. Juncker was the first person to campaign for this job before the election. The EPP won the most seats in the European Parliament. On 27 June 2014, the European Council officially suggested Juncker for the job. The European Parliament then elected him on 15 July 2014. He started his job on 1 November 2014 and finished on 30 November 2019. Ursula von der Leyen took over from him.

Juncker said his main goals as President would be to create a digital single market. He also wanted to develop an EU Energy Union. Other goals included negotiating the Transatlantic Trade Agreement. He also aimed to continue improving the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union.

Early Life and Education
Career in Luxembourg Politics
- Starting Out
- As Prime Minister (1995–2013)
Career in European Politics
Personal Life
Awards and Decorations
- National Honours
- Academic and Other Awards
See also

Early Life and Education

Jean-Claude Juncker was born in Redange, Luxembourg. He spent most of his childhood in Belvaux. His father, Joseph, worked in a steel factory and was a Christian trade union member. Juncker often said that his father's experiences during World War II greatly influenced his belief in the need for European peace and unity.

He went to a Catholic secondary school in Belgium. Later, he returned to Luxembourg for his high school diploma. In 1974, he joined the Christian Social People's Party. He studied law at the University of Strasbourg and earned a master's degree in 1979. Even though he was allowed to practice law in 1980, he never did.

Belvaux, where Juncker grew up, was a place with many different cultures. It had workers from Italy and Portugal. This environment helped shape Juncker's ideas about bringing people together. He learned early on the importance of saving money. This experience was helpful when he later became Minister of Finance.

Career in Luxembourg Politics

Starting Out

After finishing university, Juncker became a Parliamentary Secretary. In 1984, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for the first time. He was immediately made Minister of Labour in Prime Minister Jacques Santer's government.

In 1985, Luxembourg held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Communities. This allowed Juncker to show his leadership skills in Europe. It was during this time that his strong support for Europe first became clear.

Before the 1989 election, Juncker was in a serious car accident. He was in a coma for two weeks. He has said that the accident caused him to have trouble with his balance. However, he recovered and was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies. After this, he became Minister for Finance. This job was often seen as a step towards becoming Prime Minister.

Juncker's second election in 1989 made him more important in the European Union. He led the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) in 1991. He helped create the Maastricht Treaty, which led to the euro currency. He also helped create the "opt-out" rule for the UK. Juncker signed the Treaty in 1992.

He was re-elected to the Chamber in 1994 and kept his role as minister. When Santer was chosen to be the next President of the European Commission, Juncker became Prime Minister. This happened on 20 January 1995. He formed a government with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party. Juncker kept his job as Minister for Finance.

As Prime Minister (1995–2013)

Juncker with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso on 16 June 2005

Juncker with President George W. Bush (2005)

Juncker with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jean Asselborn on 24 May 2007

As Prime Minister, Juncker worked to improve Luxembourg's standing in the world. He made many official visits to other countries. In December 1996, he helped solve a disagreement between French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The newspapers called Juncker the "Hero of Dublin" because he brought them together.

In 1997, Luxembourg held the rotating Presidency of the European Council. Juncker pushed for social integration in Europe. He also started the "Luxembourg Process" to create a European policy against unemployment. He received the Vision for Europe Award in 1998 for these efforts.

Juncker won another term as Prime Minister in the 1999 election. This time, he formed a government with the Democratic Party. After the 2004 election, he again formed a government with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party.

In 2005, Juncker became President of the European Council again. Luxembourg then held a vote on whether to approve the European Constitution. Juncker said he would resign if the vote failed. The people voted "Yes" by 56.5%. His dedication to European ideas earned him the 2006 Karlspreis award.

Juncker with French Prime Minister François Fillon on 29 October 2009

Juncker supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya. He wanted NATO to take control of the military efforts in Libya quickly.

In 2012, there were reports about issues with Luxembourg's intelligence service. These issues led to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies. On 10 July, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) withdrew its support for Juncker's government. This forced Juncker to agree to new elections. He resigned as Prime Minister on 11 July. After the election, Xavier Bettel became Prime Minister on 4 December 2013.

Career in European Politics

Leading the Eurogroup

In 2004, the Eurogroup decided to have a permanent president instead of a rotating one. Juncker was chosen as the first permanent president. He started this role on 1 January 2005. He was chosen again for a second term in 2006. He stepped down on 21 January 2013. Jeroen Dijsselbloem took over from him.

Juncker with Angela Merkel and José Manuel Barroso

During his time as "Mr. Euro," Juncker helped countries like Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus. These countries faced financial difficulties and needed help.

Juncker also strongly supported closer cooperation within the Eurogroup. He wanted the group to have a stronger voice on the world stage.

President of the European Commission (2014–2019)

Juncker giving a speech in March 2014

In 2014, the President of the European Commission was chosen in a new way. This new process was set up by the Treaty of Lisbon. Juncker's helper, Martin Selmayr, played a big part in his campaign.

The Election Process

Juncker's campaign bus for the 2014 election

Most major European political parties put forward a main candidate for the election. At a meeting in Dublin in March, Jean-Claude Juncker was chosen as the main candidate for the European People's Party (EPP). He won against Michel Barnier.

In a big debate between the candidates, all agreed that the European Council should only suggest someone who had campaigned publicly for the job.

The elections were held from 22–25 May. The EPP won the most seats in the Parliament. They got 221 out of 751 seats.

Getting Approved

On 27 May, leaders from five of the seven political groups in the Parliament said that Juncker should be the first to try to form a majority. This was because his party won the most seats.

Juncker with Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatseniuk, EPP summit in Brussels, 20 March 2014

Later that day, the European Council asked its president, Herman van Rompuy, to talk with the Parliament's group leaders. The goal was to find the best candidate for President.

During these talks, Juncker and the EPP agreed to work with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). This was the second largest group in the new parliament. They also got support from almost all member state leaders. In return, the center-left group and leaders got promises for more focus on economic growth and creating jobs. They also secured some important positions.

Juncker with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Brussels in March 2015

Juncker with British Prime Minister David Cameron in November 2015

G7 leaders in Japan, 26 May 2016

Indian PM Narendra Modi with Juncker and Donald Tusk at the EU-India Summit, Brussels, 2016

Juncker with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels in June 2019

The European Council officially suggested Juncker to Parliament on 27 June. This was the first time the nomination was not agreed upon by everyone. The Council voted 26 to 2 to suggest Juncker. British Prime Minister David Cameron and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voted against him.

Once Juncker was nominated, he visited all the political groups in the European Parliament. He explained his ideas and tried to get their support. He told some lawmakers that he did not want a "United States of Europe." He also said he believed Europe could not be built against individual countries.

On 15 July, Juncker presented his plans to the European Parliament. After a discussion, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) appointed Juncker as Commission President. He received 422 votes in favor, which was more than the 376 votes needed.

Turkey and the European Union

On 25 July 2016, Juncker stated that Turkey was not ready to join the European Union soon. He also said that talks about Turkey joining the EU would stop immediately if Turkey brought back the death penalty.