Jacques Delors, who passed away at 98, played a major role in shaping the modern European Union. As the head of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, he championed the idea of a closer European union, leading initiatives like the single market and the euro.
Despite his vision facing strong opposition in the UK, particularly from figures like Margaret Thatcher, Delors witnessed the UK’s departure from the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Born into a politically diverse family in Paris in 1925, Delors began his career in finance but later entered politics, joining the Socialist party and becoming a key player in European integration.
His tenure as the European Commission president saw significant strides, including the Single European Act in 1987 and the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which laid the foundation for the modern EU.
Delors believed in a socially conscious single market, but his ideas clashed with the more market-oriented views of figures like Thatcher.
Despite facing challenges, Delors left a lasting impact on the EU’s development, serving as a technocrat who influenced its course more than many elected leaders.
The news and background information are credited to BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13360806