European Parliament Approves Luxembourg Prime Minister Jacques Santer as New EU Chief Executive

Strategic Insights -

The European Parliament narrowly approved the nomination of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jacques Santer as the European Union's new chief executive, avoiding a potential institutional crisis. The assembly voted 260 to 238, with 23 abstentions, to support Santer's nomination by EU leaders to succeed French Socialist Jacques Delors as president of the European Commission in January. Santer's nomination was a compromise after British Prime Minister John Major vetoed the nomination of Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene. Santer's presidency aims to promote European integration, foster economic growth, and reconquer public opinion among member states.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament approved the nomination of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jacques Santer as the European Union's new chief executive with a vote of 260 to 238, and 23 abstentions.
  • The nomination was a compromise after British Prime Minister John Major vetoed the nomination of Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene.
  • Santer, a 57-year-old Christian Democrat, has been Luxembourg's prime minister for 10 years and previously served as a member of the European Parliament.
  • Santer emphasized his commitment to an integrated Europe and highlighted his main tasks as president of the Commission, including promoting European integration, generating new economic growth, and reconquering public opinion among member states.
  • German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel urged the assembly to back Santer as 'the man required.'
  • Santer's presidency comes at a time when the European Parliament is asserting its new clout in the EU government, gained through the 1992 Maastricht Treaty.
  • The Parliament has authority to amend or veto portions of legislation proposed by the Commission and the Council of Ministers.
  • Santer's nomination was opposed by the Socialists, who protested the procedure for selecting the Commission president, which does not include consultations with the Strasbourg assembly.

Statistics:

  • 260 to 238, the vote count in favor of and against Santer's nomination.
  • 23, the number of abstentions in the vote.
  • 57, Santer's age at the time of his nomination.
  • 10, the number of years Santer has been Luxembourg's prime minister.
  • 567, the number of members in the newly expanded European Parliament.
  • 1992, the year the Maastricht Treaty on European Union granted new powers to the European Parliament.

Sources:

  • Reuters, "European Parliament approves Santer as EU chief"
  • AP News, "EU Parliament Approves Santer as New Chief Executive"
  • The Guardian, "Luxembourg's Santer wins EU presidency in tight vote"
  • EUobserver, "Santer: EU must 'reconquer public opinion'"