Mitterrand's finance minister who led the 1983 austerity turn, later President of the European Commission
Born in Paris, Delors worked at the Bank of France and took part in the secularisation of the Catholic union CFTC into the CFDT. After serving as social affairs adviser to Prime Minister Chaban-Delmas from 1969, he joined the Socialist Party in 1974. As Mitterrand's Economics and Finance Minister in 1981–1984 he called for a pause in social policies and acceptance of the market economy and held the line on membership of the European Monetary System, leading the "turn to austerity". As President of the European Commission in 1985–1995 he laid the groundwork for the single market and the euro.
Also known as: Jacques Lucien Jean Delors
Activities and affiliations
-
1974–
Socialist Party (PS, France, 1969–)
Economy, finance and planning -
1979–1981
European ParliamentMember of the European Parliament
Legislature and state representation -
1981–1984
France state institutionsMinister of the Economy and FinanceMain
Economy, finance and planning
Career Timeline
- 1969–1972Adviser to Prime Minister Chaban-Delmas
- 1974Joined the Socialist Party
- 1981–1984Minister of the Economy and Finance
- 1985.01–1995President of the European Commission