Omer Vanaudenhove
Encyclopedia
Omer Rudolphe Jean, Viscount Vanaudenhove (Diest
, Flemish Brabant
, 3 December 1913 - Leuven
, 26 November 1994) was a Belgian
liberal
politician
, burgomaster and minister. A businessman, Vanaudenhove was an owner of a shoe factory. He was burgomaster of Diest (1947–1955 and 1974–1976), liberal senator (1954–1974), president of the Liberal Party
(1961) and president and founder of the PVV-PLP
(1961–1969).
In the new party programme of the PVV-PLP, the traditional anticlericalism
of the liberal party was abjured. This new organization achieved success at the parliamentary elections of 1965 and gained 48 seats (compared to the 20 gained in 1961). Vanaudenhove was a proponent of a unitary Belgium and a unitarian PVV-PLP, but the tendency towards a federal state became unstoppable by the end of the sixties. Vanaudenhove was minister of public work and rebuilding between 1955–1958 and 1958-1961.
Diest
Diest is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Situated in the northeast of the Hageland region, Diest neighbours the provinces of Antwerp to its North, and Limburg to the East and is situated around 60km from Brussels. The municipality comprises the city of...
, Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven...
, 3 December 1913 - Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, 26 November 1994) was 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...
liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, burgomaster and minister. A businessman, Vanaudenhove was an owner of a shoe factory. He was burgomaster of Diest (1947–1955 and 1974–1976), liberal senator (1954–1974), president of the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Belgium)
The Liberal Party was a Belgian political party that existed from 1846 until 1961, when it became the Party for Freedom and Progress, Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang/Parti de la Liberté et du Progrès or PVV-PLP, under the leadership of Omer Vanaudenhove.-History:The Liberal Party was founded...
(1961) and president and founder of the PVV-PLP
Party for Freedom and Progress
The Party for Freedom and Progress was a liberal party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992 and was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in Flanders by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats and in Wallonia by the Parti Réformateur...
(1961–1969).
In the new party programme of the PVV-PLP, the traditional anticlericalism
Anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is a historical movement that opposes religious institutional power and influence, real or alleged, in all aspects of public and political life, and the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen...
of the liberal party was abjured. This new organization achieved success at the parliamentary elections of 1965 and gained 48 seats (compared to the 20 gained in 1961). Vanaudenhove was a proponent of a unitary Belgium and a unitarian PVV-PLP, but the tendency towards a federal state became unstoppable by the end of the sixties. Vanaudenhove was minister of public work and rebuilding between 1955–1958 and 1958-1961.