Olli Rehn
Olli Rehn
Full Name and Common Aliases
Olli Ilkka Rehn is a Finnish economist and politician who has served as the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 31, 1962, in Helsinki, Finland. He is still active in his career.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Finnish; Economist and Politician
Early Life and Background
Rehn was born into a family of intellectuals and politicians. His father, Ilkka Rehn, was a well-known economist who served as the Minister of Finance in Finland from 1989 to 1990. Olli's early life was shaped by his interest in economics and politics, which he developed through discussions with his family members.
Rehn pursued his academic career at the University of Helsinki, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics. He later received a Master's degree in Economics from Harvard University in 1988. His educational background played a significant role in shaping his understanding of economic policies and their impact on societies.
Major Accomplishments
Rehn has had an illustrious career spanning multiple roles:
European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs: He held this position from 2010 to 2014, where he was responsible for the EU's economic policy. His work focused on strengthening the eurozone, implementing fiscal discipline, and improving economic competitiveness.
Member of the European Commission: Rehn served in the European Commission from 2004 to 2014, contributing to various economic policies, including the creation of a single market and promoting social cohesion within the EU.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by Olli Rehn include:
Eurozone Crisis Management: During his tenure as European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Rehn played a crucial role in managing the eurozone crisis. He worked closely with other EU officials to develop policies that stabilized the economy and promoted economic growth.
Fiscal Discipline and Stability: Rehn advocated for strict fiscal discipline and stability within the EU. His efforts led to the adoption of the Fiscal Compact, which aimed to ensure that member states maintain sound public finances.
Impact and Legacy
Olli Rehn's contributions to European economic policy have had a lasting impact:
Strengthening the Eurozone: His work on strengthening the eurozone helped stabilize the economy during a critical period. This has contributed to the long-term stability of the EU.
Promoting Economic Growth: Rehn's policies aimed at improving economic competitiveness and promoting social cohesion have had a positive impact on member states.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Olli Rehn is widely quoted or remembered due to his significant contributions to European economic policy. His expertise in economics, combined with his experience as a politician, has made him a respected voice within the EU.
Quotes by Olli Rehn
This is a litmus test whether Turkey is seriously committed to the freedom of expression and reforms that enhance the rule of law and benefit all Turkish citizens.
Before April 5, we'll have to decide whether we can hold the negotiation round or whether this negotiation round will have to be put on hold because of lack of full cooperation by Serbia.
In the months to come, particular attention must be paid to actual implementation and enforcement of the reforms,
I hope member states can soon agree on what the accession of a 28th member state would mean in terms of the composition of the commission and voting rights in the council,
If Serbia-Montenegro still fails to achieve full cooperation with the (International Criminal Tribunal for ex-Yugoslavia) we cannot avoid disruption of the negotiations.
Serbia still has some weeks to achieve full cooperation -- roughly at the end of March.
The negotiations, once started, will certainly be long and difficult. And in many ways the process of negotiations and reform will be as important as the outcome.