Avast ye scurvy dogs! Jacques Delors, the grand mastermind behind the modern EU and ‘Mr. Europe,’ has met Davy Jones' locker at the ripe age of 98.
2023-12-27
Arr, Delors, a pragmatic socialist and a fierce proponent of a unified Europe, be taken by Davy Jones' locker in Paris, at the ripe age of 98. Aye, he be a Catholic too. May his soul find calm seas in the afterlife, me hearties!
Jacques Delors, known as "Mr. Europe," has passed away at the age of 98. During his tenure as chief executive of the European Union from 1985 to 1995, Delors played a key role in tearing down barriers that prevented free movement within the EU and in establishing economic and monetary union, which led to the creation of the European Central Bank and the euro currency. However, some of Delors' work came under threat in the years leading up to his death. The Greek debt crisis shook the eurozone, the EU faced challenges from refugees and migrants, and the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016. Expansion eastward into territory once controlled by Moscow was also halted. Delors' vision of a more united Europe, including a federal Europe, faced backlash and criticism. Despite this, he left a lasting impact on the EU, transforming it from a trade bloc to a more comprehensive institution involved in foreign policy, customs, justice, and home affairs. Delors was known for his attention to detail and his influence in constructing a more united Europe. He saw himself as just one element in the chain of progress. Delors, a self-made man from a working-class background, had a successful career in politics and finance, serving as France's finance minister before becoming the head of the EU's executive branch. He leaves behind a legacy of shaping the course of European integration.