Bart Somers
Encyclopedia
Bartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen
) is a Belgian
, Flemish
politician
. He is currently the mayor
of Mechelen
. He obtained a law degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
.
After the regional elections of June 2004
he was appointed the interim chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats
(VLD). On December 4, 2004, he was elected with just over 50 percent to a full term as chairman.
Bart Somers was one of the three negotiators for the Open VLD during the 2007 Belgian government formation.
After his party's defeat in the regional elections of 2009
, he resigned as chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats
.
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Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
) 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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is currently the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
. He obtained a law degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
.
Political career
Between 2003 and 2004 he was the Minister-President of Flanders.After the regional elections of June 2004
Belgian regional elections, 2004
On June 13, 2004, regional elections were held in Belgium, to choose representatives in the regional councils of the Flemish Parliament, the Walloon Parliament, the Brussels Parliament and the German-speaking Community of Belgium...
he was appointed the interim chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats
Flemish Liberals and Democrats
' , commonly known as Open VLD and also simply as the VLD, is a Flemish liberal political party in Belgium, created in 1992 from the former Party for Freedom and Progress and a few other politicians from other parties. The party led the government for three cabinets under Guy Verhofstadt from 1999...
(VLD). On December 4, 2004, he was elected with just over 50 percent to a full term as chairman.
Bart Somers was one of the three negotiators for the Open VLD during the 2007 Belgian government formation.
After his party's defeat in the regional elections of 2009
Belgian regional elections, 2009
Regional elections were held in Belgium on 7 June 2009 to choose representatives in the regional councils of Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the German-speaking Community of Belgium...
, he resigned as chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats
Flemish Liberals and Democrats
' , commonly known as Open VLD and also simply as the VLD, is a Flemish liberal political party in Belgium, created in 1992 from the former Party for Freedom and Progress and a few other politicians from other parties. The party led the government for three cabinets under Guy Verhofstadt from 1999...
.
Personal life
He is married to Miet Bourlon and he has 2 children, a girl Lieze and a boy Jan Klaas.External links
- Bart Somers (Official website)
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