In a 2010 interview , Jacques Delors praised another ‘ rare quality ’ Simone Veil demonstrated during her time as European Parliament President : ‘ discernment ’ 9 .
It is impossible to read Simone Veil ’ s biography without being struck by her clear-sightedness . She did not delude herself and was not afraid to look danger in the eye . As a child during the war , despite being the youngest member of her family , she was already the most realistic about the grim fate that awaited them all .
Her unwavering commitment to Europe never blinded her to the threats that could jeopardise its future : in particular , the threat that national interests could prevail over those of the Community . This risk became all the more serious as Europe expanded , making it increasingly difficult to achieve unanimity , or even a majority , in matters of governance . Long before being elected to the European Parliament , Simone Veil had , like others , imagined a federal Europe ; an outlook which , as far back as 1979 , was no longer shared by the younger generations , who had a greater desire to ‘ go back to the roots ’ 10 . An aspiration which would , in her view , grow ever stronger : ‘ I can ’ t help but notice the citizens ’ growing attachment to their national frameworks and to the historical factors that have shaped unique identities ’ 11 , she remarked , not entirely unconcerned , after the 2005 vote to ratify the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe , which resulted in a ‘ No ’ vote in the referendums held in France and the Netherlands .
Simone Veil ’ s time as an MEP ended in 1993 . In 1998 , the French Government appointed her to the Constitutional Council ,
9 . Le Monde Magazine , No 27 , 20 March 2010 . 10 . Le Monde , 2 June 1979 . 11 . S . Veil , A Life , 2007 .
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