Louise Weiss , a campaigner for Europe
Christine Manigand
Professor of Contemporary History at Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle University
On 17 July 1979 , Louise Weiss , as the oldest Member , stood at the rostrum of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to address her fellow Members after they had been elected by direct universal suffrage for the first time . She spoke of the pride and joy that she felt , at the age of 86 , on taking her seat in the chamber and presiding over Parliament ’ s inaugural session . The ‘ President for a Day ’, as she called herself in a memorable speech 1 entitled ‘ A fight for Europe ’, expressed to her colleagues ‘ the greatest joy a human being can experience in their autumn years , the joy of a youthful vocation miraculously achieved ’. The following day , in the same debating chamber , she handed over to Simone Veil , who had been elected President of the European Parliament .
During her speech , Louise Weiss described herself as ‘ someone
1 . Speech by Louise Weiss , the oldest Member , at the opening sitting of the European Parliament on 17 July 1979 in Strasbourg .
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