Léon Kauffman

Léon Kauffman (born August 16, 1869 in Luxembourg ; † March 25, 1952 there ) was a Luxembourg politician.

Life

Léon Kauffman became director of the tax administration in 1910. From 1915 to 1945 he was a member of the State Council . In 1916 he became Director General (Minister) of Finance (until 1918).

In 1917 there was a crisis in the Thorn government because the Chamber had withdrawn its confidence in the Minister of Agriculture, Michel Welter. On June 19, 1917, Kauffman put together a right-wing liberal government, in which he took over the offices of state, foreign and finance ministers.

Under this government the amendment of the Luxembourg constitution was initiated, which among other things was supposed to introduce universal suffrage. However, a conflict arose because the government was reluctant to establish the origin of sovereign power "in the nation", as the Chamber had called for, instead of, as before, "in the person of the Grand Duke". When it became known that the Prime Minister was attending a private audience with the German Chancellor at Grand Duchess Maria Adelheid , the government was restructured, whereupon Léon Kauffman resigned as Prime Minister on September 28, 1918.

From 1923 to 1952 Kauffman was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banque internationale à Luxembourg . In 1945 he became President of the State Council. In 1952 he died at the age of 82.

Léon Kauffman was married to Madeleine Joséphine Franck and had one son.