Jean-Luc Dehaene

Jean-Luc Dehaene
Dehaene in 2009
Prime Minister of Belgium
In office
7 March 1992 – 12 July 1999
MonarchsBaudouin
Albert II
Preceded byWilfried Martens
Succeeded byGuy Verhofstadt
Personal details
Born
Jean Luc Joseph Marie Dehaene

(1940-08-07)7 August 1940
Montpellier, Vichy France
Died15 May 2014(2014-05-15) (aged 73)
Quimper, France
Political partyChristian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V)
SpouseCelie Verbeke
Children4
Signature

Jean Luc Joseph Marie "Jean-Luc" Dehaene (Flemish: [ʑɑ̃ːˈlyɡ dəˈɦaːnə] ⓘ; 7 August 1940 – 15 May 2014) was a Belgian politician who served as the prime minister of Belgium from 1992 until 1999. During his political career, he was nicknamed "The Plumber",[1][2] as well as "The Minesweeper",[3] for his ability to negotiate political deadlocks.

A member of the Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) party and its antecedents,[3] Dehaene gained his first ministerial appointment in 1981. Dehaene's first government (1992–1995) included both Christian and Social Democrats and presided over the creation of a new constitution, effectively transforming Belgium into a federal state. His second government (1995–1999) coincided with a number of crises in Belgium including the Dutroux scandal. The Dioxin Affair, occurring shortly before the 1999 election, led to a swing against the major parties and Dehaene's government fell.

Following his final term as prime minister he was active in both Belgian and European politics. He was also on UEFA's financial fair play regulatory body and managed Dexia Bank during the financial crisis. He was the last prime minister of King Baudouin's reign.

  1. ^ "Obituary: Jean-Luc Dehaene". The Guardian. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  2. ^ N.C. (15 May 2014). "Jean-Luc Dehaene est décédé". Le Soir. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b Neuger, James G. (15 May 2014). "Jean-Luc Dehaene, Who Led Belgium into Euro Region, Dies at 73". Bloomburg. Retrieved 15 May 2014.