Gaston Thorn
Gaston Thorn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gaston Egmond Thorn 3 September 1928 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg |
| Died | 26 August 2007 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Statesman, politician, lawyer, banker |
| Years active | 1955–1999 |
| Known for | Prime Minister of Luxembourg (1974–1979), President of the United Nations General Assembly (1975), President of the European Commission (1981–1985) |
Gaston Egmond Thorn (3 September 1928–26 August 2007) was a prominent Luxembourgish statesman who occupied significant roles both within Luxembourg and on the international stage, notably serving as Prime Minister of Luxembourg (1974–1979), President of the United Nations General Assembly (1975), and President of the European Commission (1981–1985).
Life and career
Originating from Luxembourg City, Thorn's childhood included a period in Strasbourg, where his father worked for the French railways. During the Second World War, his family moved back to Luxembourg, where he participated in resistance efforts and endured several months of imprisonment. Post-war, he initially pursued medical studies in Montpellier but later shifted to law, completing his education in Lausanne and Paris before practicing law in Luxembourg starting in 1955. In 1957, he wed journalist Liliane Petit.
Thorn embarked on his political journey in 1959 by joining the liberal Democratic Party. He was a member of the European Parliament from 1959 until 1969 and led his party as chairman between 1962 and 1969. Additionally, he held the position of alderman in Luxembourg City from 1961 to 1963.
His ministerial roles included serving as Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister and Foreign Trade Minister from 1969 to 1980, Prime Minister from 1974 to 1979, and Minister of Economics from 1977 to 1980. Thorn headed a coalition government formed by the Democratic Party and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party, notable for being the first post-war administration without the dominant Christian Social People's Party (CSV). Remarkably, he led despite his party having fewer parliamentary seats than the coalition partner.
European Commission
In 1980, Thorn was named president of the commission of the European Communities (now known as the European Union), taking over from Roy Jenkins. He officially assumed office on 12 January 1981. His selection met resistance from France and Britain but received backing from smaller member states and West Germany, partly due to Luxembourg's influential role within the commission.
Thorn’s term coincided with numerous economic and political difficulties, such as Eurosclerosis, strained relations with Britain’s government under Margaret Thatcher, and disagreements related to Britain's involvement in the Falklands War alongside controversies over U.S. missile deployments in Europe. These challenges, coupled with a global recession and looming trade conflicts, impeded advancements in European integration. Nonetheless, Thorn achieved consensus on a common fisheries policy and initiated preparations for Portugal’s and Spain’s accession to the Community; Greece had joined at the onset of his tenure.
Although not regarded as a particularly assertive leader, Thorn's commission expanded its influence over national governments while navigating ongoing power disputes with the European Parliament. His administration laid important groundwork that enabled his successor Jacques Delors to substantially increase the commission’s authority.
Post-Presidency
Following his departure from the commission in 1985, Thorn shifted focus to corporate leadership roles. He became chairman of Luxembourg’s largest media conglomerate, CLT, and served as president of the Banque Internationale à Luxembourg from 1985 through 1999.
Thorn continued his international involvement by presiding over the International European Movement and participating in influential organizations such as the Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg conference, and the Jean Monnet Committee. He also held leadership within the Liberal International. Married to journalist Liliane Thorn-Petit (1933–2008), they had one son together.
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
- Grand Cross of the Pian Order
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
See also
Sources
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- 1928 births
- 2007 deaths
- Prime ministers of Luxembourg
- Presidents of the European Commission
- Luxembourgian European commissioners
- Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly
- Presidents of the Liberal International
- Ministers for foreign affairs of Luxembourg
- Ministers for the economy of Luxembourg
- Deputy prime ministers of Luxembourg
- Ministers for justice of Luxembourg
- Democratic Party (Luxembourg) politicians
- 20th-century Luxembourgian lawyers
- Politicians from Luxembourg City
- Permanent representatives of Luxembourg to the United Nations
- Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Luxembourgian bankers
- European commissioners (1981–1985)
- 20th-century Luxembourgian politicians