the political world’s tribute to Jacques Delors – L’Express

It is the disappearance of one of the most significant figures of the Fifth Republic and of Europe. As Jacques Delors died this Wednesday, December 27 at the age of 98, the political class in unison paid a final tribute to the man who was one of the fathers of modern European construction.

Emmanuel Macron hailed a “statesman of French destiny”, and celebrated the “inexhaustible architect of our Europe” who was the former president of the European Commission. “His commitment, his ideals and his righteousness will always inspire us. I salute his work and his memory and share the pain of his loved ones,” reacted the Head of State on X (formerly Twitter).

Olivier Faure, current First Secretary of the Socialist Party where Jacques Delors was one of the main thinking heads for several decades, hailed the destiny of a “giant who has just left us”. “Child of the century, he had experienced the worst and sought to ward off misfortune by building a lasting peace. Through his trade union, ministerial commitment and finally at the head of Europe, he bequeaths us an immense legacy. Condolences to Martine Aubry”, wrote the leader of the PS on X (formerly Twitter).

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Lionel Jospin, former leader of the PS and fellow traveler of Delors, also paid tribute to the man with whom he shared the socialist roads for a long time. “The trade unionist, the pioneer of economic and social issues, the advisor to Jacques Chaban-Delmas, the activist who joined, at the same time as Michel Rocard, the Socialist Party that François Mitterrand was renovating, the realistic Minister of Economy and Finance , the passionate European who remarkably chaired the European Commission, left his mark on his era,” declared the former socialist candidate for the 2002 presidential election.

The leader of La France insoumise and former colleague within the PS Jean-Luc Mélenchon paid tribute to “the activist and the man of action who acted with the common good in mind, however far away we may have been”, and celebrated the death of “a socialist from the generation which had an ideal”.

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The current leader of the Republicans Éric Ciotti also paid “tribute to Jacques Delors, great European and peacemaker”, saluting “the memory of a defender of sound and effective management of our public finances as Minister of Economy then as President of the European Commission. His dedication to France and European construction will remain a model of commitment.”

“From a journey of several decades marked by commitments in favor of Europe, I remember his integrity and his uprightness, for his part greeted the boss of the PCF Fabien Roussel. I send all my friendship to his daughter, Martine Aubry, and his loved ones.”

European reactions

Rain of tributes also beyond the borders of France. The President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke of a “great Frenchman and great European, who entered history as one of the builders of our Europe”, highlighting a “defender who was both passionate and concrete, until its last days” of the European Union.

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The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to the memory of the man who in her eyes was a “visionary who made our Europe stronger. His life’s work is a united, dynamic and prosperous European Union . She shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine. Let us honor her legacy by constantly renewing our Europe.”