Joseph Bech
Encyclopedia
Joseph Bech was a Luxembourg
ian politician
. He was the 15th Prime Minister of Luxembourg, serving for eleven years, from July 16, 1926 until November 5, 1937. He returned to the position after World War II
, becoming the 17th Prime Minister, serving for another four years, from 29 December 1953 until 29 March 1958.
Bech studied Law at Freiburg
and Paris
, before qualifying as a lawyer
in 1914. The same year, on 30 June, he was elected to the Luxembourgian Chamber of Deputies
for the newly-founded Party of the Right
, representing the canton
of Grevenmacher
.
On 15 April 1921, Bech was appointed to Émile Reuter's cabinet, holding the positions of Director-General for the Interior
and Director-General for Education. In 1925, Bech lost these positions, as the Party of the Right's was edged out of government by a coalition of all other parties, who formed the government under Pierre Prüm
.
When Prüm's coalition collapsed, in 1926, Bech became Prime Minister, which he remained until 1937.
Bech is considered to be one of the 'Founding Fathers' of the European Community.. He was one of the participants of the Messina Conference
in 1955, which would lead to the Treaty of Rome
in 1957.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
ian politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was the 15th Prime Minister of Luxembourg, serving for eleven years, from July 16, 1926 until November 5, 1937. He returned to the position after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, becoming the 17th Prime Minister, serving for another four years, from 29 December 1953 until 29 March 1958.
Bech studied Law at Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, before qualifying as a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in 1914. The same year, on 30 June, he was elected to the Luxembourgian Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
for the newly-founded Party of the Right
Party of the Right (Luxembourg)
The Party of the Right , abbreviated to PD, was a political party in Luxembourg between 1914 and 1944. It was the direct predecessor of the Christian Social People's Party , which has ruled Luxembourg for all but five years since....
, representing the canton
Cantons of Luxembourg
||The districts of Luxembourg are divided into 12 cantons. These cantons are subdivided into 116 communes. The cantons, listed by district, include:Diekirch District*Clervaux *Diekirch *Redange *Vianden *Wiltz Grevenmacher District...
of Grevenmacher
Grevenmacher (Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg constituency)
The constituency Grevenmacher elected members to Luxembourg's national legislature, the Chamber of Deputies, from 1848 until its abolition in 1919...
.
On 15 April 1921, Bech was appointed to Émile Reuter's cabinet, holding the positions of Director-General for the Interior
Minister for the Interior of Luxembourg
The Minister for the Interior of Luxembourg is responsible for regional planning, including relations with neighboring German, French and Belgian regions in the context of the "Grand Region of Luxembourg". He/she is also responsible for relations with the communes and, since 2009 again, for the...
and Director-General for Education. In 1925, Bech lost these positions, as the Party of the Right's was edged out of government by a coalition of all other parties, who formed the government under Pierre Prüm
Pierre Prüm
Pierre Prüm was a Luxembourgian politician and jurist. He was the 14th Prime Minister of Luxembourg, serving for a year, from March 20, 1925 until July 16, 1926.-Early life:...
.
When Prüm's coalition collapsed, in 1926, Bech became Prime Minister, which he remained until 1937.
Bech is considered to be one of the 'Founding Fathers' of the European Community.. He was one of the participants of the Messina Conference
Messina Conference
The Messina Conference was held from 1 to 3 June 1955 at the Italian city of Messina, Sicily. The conference of the Foreign Ministers of the six Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community would lead to the creation of the European Economic Community in 1958...
in 1955, which would lead to the Treaty of Rome
Treaty of Rome
The Treaty of Rome, officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, was an international agreement that led to the founding of the European Economic Community on 1 January 1958. It was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany...
in 1957.