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Tribute to Simone Veil, woman of action and reconciliation

A figure of French and European political life, Simone Veil, passed away on Friday 30 June.

A survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps, a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, a figure of the fight for equality; Simone Veil travelled through the century in its most terrible dimensions as well as in the moments with the most hope for peace and unity.

Several times a minister in France, a Member of the European Parliament and the first president of the European Parliament to be elected by universal suffrage: she will remain the one who was able to lead the just fights for the right to abortion, for justice and for European construction. Her personal history could have led her to hate others, but to the contrary, she was a tireless advocate of European construction.

The secretary general of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Frédéric Vallier, wished to pay tribute to her: “Simone Veil will remain a figure of European 20th century history. She experienced the atrocities of concentration camps and then worked tirelessly for Franco-German reconciliation and European construction. Her commitment to women’s rights and the example she represents for women of all generations also makes her a figure of the fight for equality, justice and peace.”

A brave and fighting woman, Simone Veil will remain a universal role model.