Club de Madrid, the premier forum of democratically elected former Heads of State and Government, has added three distinguished leaders to its ranks in its latest move to promote democratic values, good governance, and citizen well-being. The former President of the Government of Spain, Mariano Rajoy; the former President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Mario Monti; and the former President of Seychelles, James Alexi Michel, were ratified during the extraordinary General Assembly held on March 27th in London.
The three new members bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to Club de Madrid, pushing its total membership to 110 leaders from 70 different countries. The organization places significant emphasis on maintaining a balance in political, gender, geographical, and cultural diversity among its members.
James Michel, who served as the President of Seychelles from 2004 to 2016, is among the distinguished trio. Beyond his political career, Michel has been actively involved in the democratisation process of Seychelles and, following his resignation, leads the James Michel Foundation. This foundation focuses on promoting the Blue Economy concept and raising awareness about climate change.
Mariano Rajoy, who presided over the Government of Spain from 2011 to 2018, took office during the challenging times of the eurozone crisis. Despite facing economic hardships, Rajoy successfully navigated Spain through a recession, leading to economic growth. His tenure came to an end following a parliamentary motion of no confidence. Rajoy has held various ministerial posts and played a crucial role in the Spanish government during the late 90s and early 2000s.
Similarly, Mario Monti, the former President of the Council of Ministers of Italy from 2011 to 2013, assumed office during the European sovereign debt crisis. Despite his brief term, Monti spearheaded significant reforms in Italy’s pension system and labor market. Monti, with his extensive experience, now actively engages in various think tanks and organizations, including Friends of Europe, Bruegel, and the Atlantic Council.
The trio’s ratification coincided with a Roundtable on ‘Trust and Democracy,’ held during the General Assembly in London. The discussion focused on analyzing the factors contributing to public mistrust in democratic institutions, media, private companies, and non-governmental organizations.
With the addition of these three eminent leaders, Club de Madrid continues its mission to foster dialogue, cooperation, and positive change on a global scale, drawing on the vast experiences of its diverse membership.