Werner, Pierre

Werner, Pierre (pyĕr vĕr`nər), 1913–2002, political leader in Luxembourg. A lawyer, he held various posts in the ministry of finance after World War II. Secretary to the council of government (1949–53), he was (1953–58) minister of finance and of the armed forces. He became prime minister in 1959, holding other ministerial posts concurrently. Named chairman of the European Community's Committee on Monetary Union in 1970, he was instrumental in coordinating the member countries' economic and monetary policies. He resigned in 1974 after his party lost the election, but he again served as prime minister from 1979 to 1984.