Colette Flesch

Colette Flesch ( born April 16, 1937 in Dudelange ) is a Luxembourgian politician and former fencer.

Professional and sports career

Flesch graduated in Economics and Political Science in the United States. Afterwards she worked from 1964 to 1969 as an Administrator in the Secretariat of the Council of the European Communities ( EC).

During his studies and occupation it was also active athlete and participated as a fencer at the Summer Olympic Games in Rome in 1960, in Tokyo in 1964 and 1968 in Mexico City part. In 1967 she was elected to the Luxembourg Sportswoman of the Year.

Political career

MPs, party leader and Mayor

Colette Flesch began her political career in 1969 with the election of a member of the Chamber of Deputies ( Chambre des députés ). There, she represented initially until 1980, and later again from 1984 to 1990 the Demokratesch Party ( DP). She was the 1977-1980 and the Secretary-General from 1980 to 1989 president of the DP. From 1985 to 1990, she also assumed the office of President of the European Liberal, Democratic and Reform Party ( ELDR).

June 13, 2004, she is again a member of the Chamber of Deputies and member of several committees there.

In 1970 she was also elected mayor of the city of Luxembourg. This office she held until 1980.

Minister

From 22 November 1980 to July 20, 1984 she was Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Pierre Werner. At the same time she was also Minister of Foreign Affairs, External Trade, cooperation, economy, small and medium enterprises as well as justice. In the function of the Secretary of State, she was in the second half of 1980 as the first woman President of the Council of the European Union. In the same minister she also had to do with the turmoil when, on February 19, 1982 Belgium contrary to any agreement without notice and unilaterally devalued the franc.

Europe politician

As a Member of Parliament from 1969 to 1980, she represented the interests of Luxembourg in the European Parliament. After her retirement from the House of Representatives in 1990 she became Director-General for Culture, Information and the translation service of the European Commission.

She then again from 1999 to 2004 Member of the European Parliament.

2004 to today

2004 Colette Flesch was re-elected to the Chamber of Deputies. Among other things, she was Vice - President of the Committee on Economic, energy, postal and Sport and the Committee on Higher Education, Research and Culture. Furthermore, she sat in the Parliament Office and the Judicial Commission.

In 2005, the politician was also elected to the municipal council of the city of Luxembourg, and is, among other Kulturschöffin. In January 2008, she stepped back and has left these Lydie Polfer items.

2009 Colette Flesch was not elected to Parliament and thus has retired from active politics.