Today, Luxembourg has lost one of the most influential political figures of its recent history. A leading figure in Luxembourg’s political life, Colette Flesch profoundly shaped our country and played a decisive role in advancing equality between women and men over the past decades.
The Democratic Party mourns the loss of a leader, a mentor and a friend whose impact on the party and on the political life of Luxembourg was exceptional. Colette Flesch left a lasting mark on the DP and on her time.
Guided by an open mind and a genuine joy in human connection, Colette Flesch moved through life with curiosity and generosity. Through intelligence and hard work, she succeeded in asserting herself in a political world long dominated by men, never forgetting the advice Gaston Thorn once gave her: you must know every case better than anyone else. Until the very end, she remained open to new ideas and embraced life in all its facets. A passionate athlete, she competed as a fencer in three Olympic Games.
At the end of her political career, Colette Flesch harboured no regrets: those who make decisions also make mistakes. She was grateful, however, to have contributed to major national reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty, the liberalisation of abortion, the introduction of palliative care and the decriminalisation of euthanasia. As Minister of the Economy, she also played a role in the rescue of the steel industry. Particularly close to her heart was the reform of civil rights for married women.
It was also during the major parliamentary debates that she demonstrated her intelligence, empathy and remarkable rhetorical talent. A convinced democrat and social liberal, Colette Flesch persuaded through the strength of her arguments.
As Mayor, she made an outstanding contribution to the remarkable development of the City of Luxembourg.
Colette is here! When Colette arrived, a congress, a general assembly or an information meeting could truly begin. She remained warmly and loyally attached to the Democratic Party until the very end. She can be proud of her life and her achievements.
The Democratic Party is in mourning. But it is also grateful and proud to have counted such an exceptional woman among its ranks.
The Democratic Party thanks Colette for everything.
Born in Dudelange, Colette Flesch fled on 10 May 1940, at the age of three, with her parents, ahead of the Nazi invasion. Her father passed away shortly afterwards in France. At the end of the Second World War, she returned to Luxembourg with her mother. After completing her secondary education at the Meedercherslycée in Limpertsberg, she was awarded a scholarship and went on to study economics and political science at Wellesley College and at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts, United States.
In 1964, Colette Flesch joined the Secretariat-General of the Council of Ministers of the then European Communities in Brussels. In 1968, shortly after her participation in the Olympic Games in Mexico City, Gaston Thorn invited her to stand as a candidate in the parliamentary elections. The Democratic Party entered government, and Colette Flesch became a Member of Parliament in Luxembourg as well as a Member of the European Parliament.
In 1969, she was elected to the municipal council and, at the age of 32, became the first female Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, a position she held for almost eleven years. In 1981, she succeeded Gaston Thorn as Deputy Prime Minister and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and the Economy.
In 1976, Colette Flesch became the first Secretary General of the Democratic Party, and in 1981 its first President.
From 1990 to 1999, she served as Director-General responsible for information, communication, culture and audiovisual policy at the European Commission.
European Parliament in Strasbourg, September 1979 (©️ European Union 1979 – EP)
