A legal expert and DP member, Mart served under the governments of Pierre Werner and Gastone Thorn and served two six-year terms as Luxembourg representative of the European Court of Auditors on which he also served as president.

Born 10 May 1927 in Esch-sur-Alzette, Mart’s education was interrupted by the outbreak of WWII. According to Tageblatt, he graduated from high school in 1947 before studying law and economics in Montpellier and Paris. He worked as a lawyer at the Luxembourg district court for two years before taking on the role of business editor at the first European news agency where he remained for five years.

He then became spokesman for the high authority of the European Coal and Steel Community. In 1964, Mart led the European Communities Liaison Office then, in 1967, the European Commission’s Third Countries Information Union. He began his political career in the Werner government, which he joined in 1969.

Diversification

Mart is considered one of the founding father of Luxembourg’s economic diversification at the time of the steel crisis as well as a supporter of the tripartite system involving state, employers and employees in discussions related to labour matters. Controversially, during his political career he had advocated for a nuclear power plant in Remerschen, which was not seen through.

In 1977, he became the first Luxembourg member of the European Court of Auditors, chairing the authority from 1984 to 1989. In 1993, he served as maréchal to the grand ducal court under Grand Duke Jean. He also occupied several boards.

He is succeeded by his wife, two children (including RTL broadcaster Caroline Mart) and five grandchildren.