Jean-Claude Juncker visits the ESM

On 24 February 2020, upon invitation of ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling, Jean-Claude Juncker visited the ESM’s headquarters in Luxembourg. Mr Juncker is also the former Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the former President of the European Commission.

Mr Juncker was the president of the euro finance ministers (Eurogroup) when the agreement was reached in May 2010 to set up the euro area’s temporary rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). He was Eurogroup president when the permanent rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was inaugurated in October 2012. In this capacity, he served as the first Chairperson of the ESM Board of Governors, the ESM’s highest decision-making body representing the finance ministers of all the euro area countries, making him one of the political fathers of the EFSF and the ESM.

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Photos by Steve Eastwood