Robert Schaffner
Encyclopedia
Robert Schaffner was a Luxembourg
ian politician.
A founding member of the Patriotic and Democratic Group (GPD), now the Democratic Party
, Schaffner entered politics after the German occupation
during the Second World War
. In 1945, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies
, in which he would remain (including spells as a government minister) until his death over three decades later.
He entered Pierre Dupong's government in 1947 as Minister for Public Works and Minister for Transport, replacing the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
's Victor Bodson
. He remained in these positions for four years, before the ejection of the GPD from government in favour of the LSAP saw the roles reverse and Bodson return to the cabinet in Schaffner's place.
Schaffner was twice mayor of Echternach
, from 1945 to 1947, and from 1970 to 1979.
T. Glad Bincham and A.W. Hurll, then General Secretary of The Boy Scouts Association, paid a visit to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France in October 1945. They were able to make valuable first-hand contacts with the leaders of the Scout movements in these countries, and to learn more of how Scouting
had played a part during the occupation, and how it proposed to meet the future. In Luxembourg, they were received by Schaffner, the Scout Commissioner, who had been elected mayor of the ruined town of Echternach the day before, and was already drawing up plans for its reconstruction.
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.
A founding member of the Patriotic and Democratic Group (GPD), now the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Luxembourg)
The Democratic Party , abbreviated to DP, is the major liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.Founded in...
, Schaffner entered politics after the German occupation
German occupation of Luxembourg in World War I
The German occupation of Luxembourg in World War I was the first of two military occupations of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by Germany in the twentieth century. From August 1914 until the end of World War I in November 1918, Luxembourg was under full occupation by the German Empire...
during the Second World War
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...
. In 1945, he was elected to the 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....
, in which he would remain (including spells as a government minister) until his death over three decades later.
He entered Pierre Dupong's government in 1947 as Minister for Public Works and Minister for Transport, replacing the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party
The Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party , abbreviated to LSAP or POSL, is a social democratic political party in Luxembourg.The LSAP is the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, having won 13 of 60 seats at the 2009 election, and has one seat in the European Parliament...
's Victor Bodson
Victor Bodson
Victor Bodson was a justice minister of Luxembourg and received the Righteous Among the Nations award by the Israeli Supreme Court for his participation during the Holocaust in helping Jews in Germany escape persecution from the German government.Bodson was born in 1902 in Luxembourg...
. He remained in these positions for four years, before the ejection of the GPD from government in favour of the LSAP saw the roles reverse and Bodson return to the cabinet in Schaffner's place.
Schaffner was twice mayor of Echternach
Echternach
Echternach is a commune with city status in the canton of Echternach, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher, in eastern Luxembourg. Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in Luxembourg....
, from 1945 to 1947, and from 1970 to 1979.
T. Glad Bincham and A.W. Hurll, then General Secretary of The Boy Scouts Association, paid a visit to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France in October 1945. They were able to make valuable first-hand contacts with the leaders of the Scout movements in these countries, and to learn more of how Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
had played a part during the occupation, and how it proposed to meet the future. In Luxembourg, they were received by Schaffner, the Scout Commissioner, who had been elected mayor of the ruined town of Echternach the day before, and was already drawing up plans for its reconstruction.