Geert Bourgeois
Encyclopedia
Geert
Albert Bourgeois (born 6 July 1951 in Roeselare
) is a Belgian
(Flemish
) lawyer
and politician
(member of the New Flemish Alliance, N-VA). He is since 2009 the current Flemish Minister
for Administrative Affairs, Local and Provincial Government, Civic Integration, Tourism and the Vlaamse Rand. He is also Vice-Minister-President.
. From 1983 to 1994 he served as an alderman
.
In 1995 he was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
and, being re-elected in 1999 and 2003, served until July 2004, when he resigned having been elected to the Flemish Parliament
. Since July 2004, Bourgeois serves in the Flemish Government
as Flemish Minister for Administrative Affairs, Foreign Policy, Media and Tourism.
On 22 September 2008 Geert Bourgeois was forced to resign due to pressure by the SP.a-Vl.Pro and Open VLD coalition partners because of his party's no confidence vote in the federal government of Yves Leterme
and their lack of trust in further negotiations by the Regions regarding the state reform.
Bourgeois - a life long Flemish nationalist - also served as chairman of the Volksunie ("Peoples Union") from 2000 to 2001. After the collapse of the Volksunie in 2001 he founded the N-VA political party which he chaired until 2004. It is a separatist movement that strives for secession of Flanders from Belgium.
Geert
‘Geert’ is a Dutch forename of Germanic origin, equivalent to German Gerd and English Gerry. The name is a condensed form of ‘Gerhard’, itself a combination of the Germanic words ‘ger’ and ‘hard’ meaning 'Strong or Brave with the Spear'...
Albert Bourgeois (born 6 July 1951 in Roeselare
Roeselare
Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke....
) is a Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
(Flemish
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
) lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
(member of the New Flemish Alliance, N-VA). He is since 2009 the current Flemish Minister
Flemish government
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
for Administrative Affairs, Local and Provincial Government, Civic Integration, Tourism and the Vlaamse Rand. He is also Vice-Minister-President.
Political career
Bourgeois first entered elective politics in 1977 when he was elected a member of the city council in IzegemIzegem
Izegem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Izegem proper and the towns of Emelgem and Kachtem. Emelgem was added to Izegem in 1965, Kachtem in 1977. Izegem itself lies on the southern banks of the Mandel, Emelgem and Kachtem on...
. From 1983 to 1994 he served as an alderman
Schepen
A schepen is a Dutch word referring to a municipal civic office in Dutch-speaking countries. The term is still in use in Belgium, but it has been replaced by wethouder in the Netherlands. The closest English terms are alderman, member of the municipal executive, councillor and magistrate,...
.
In 1995 he was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
The Belgian Chamber of Representatives is one of the two chambers in the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Senate...
and, being re-elected in 1999 and 2003, served until July 2004, when he resigned having been elected to the Flemish Parliament
Flemish Parliament
The Flemish Parliament constitutes the legislative power in Flanders, for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and a cultural community of Belgium The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: , and formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the...
. Since July 2004, Bourgeois serves in the Flemish Government
Flemish government
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
as Flemish Minister for Administrative Affairs, Foreign Policy, Media and Tourism.
On 22 September 2008 Geert Bourgeois was forced to resign due to pressure by the SP.a-Vl.Pro and Open VLD coalition partners because of his party's no confidence vote in the federal government of Yves Leterme
Yves Leterme
Yves Camille Désiré Leterme is a Flemish Belgian politician, a leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party , and the 48th Prime Minister of Belgium.Leterme was the Prime Minister of Belgium from March 2008 to December 2008...
and their lack of trust in further negotiations by the Regions regarding the state reform.
Bourgeois - a life long Flemish nationalist - also served as chairman of the Volksunie ("Peoples Union") from 2000 to 2001. After the collapse of the Volksunie in 2001 he founded the N-VA political party which he chaired until 2004. It is a separatist movement that strives for secession of Flanders from Belgium.
External links
- www.n-va.be
- www.geertbourgeois.be Personal website