Caroline Gennez
Encyclopedia
Caroline Gennez is a Belgian socialist politician and a former chairwoman of the Socialist Party – Different (SP.A) in Flanders
.
Sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven
. After her studies, she joined the Young Socialists, and became their chairperson in 1998.
While working as an advisor to Johan Vande Lanotte
, she became a city councillor (2001-2003) and an alderman
(2003) in Sint-Truiden. In 2003, her party appointed her to the Belgian Senate
and made her move to Mechelen
. In 2004 she became fraction leader in the Flemish Parliament
(2004-2007). Since October 2006, she is first alderman
in Mechelen, responsible for education, youth, employment and social economy.
After the electoral defeat in June 2007 at the federal elections, she was elected the successor of Johan Vande Lanotte
as chairperson of the SP.A, the party of which she has been vice-president since 2003. Between May and October 2005, she was already chairperson ad interim of the SP.A. After her announcement in June 2011 to not run for a second term as chairwoman, she was succeeded by Bruno Tobback
on 18 September 2011.
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...
.
Biography
From the age of 5 until she was 14, she was a talented tennis player. A hernia ended this career. She got a Master in Political and SociologicalSociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
Sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
. After her studies, she joined the Young Socialists, and became their chairperson in 1998.
While working as an advisor to Johan Vande Lanotte
Johan Vande Lanotte
Johan Cyrille Corneel Vande Lanotte is a Belgian politician. He is a member of the SP.A, and became its party president on 15 October 2005...
, she became a city councillor (2001-2003) and an alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
(2003) in Sint-Truiden. In 2003, her party appointed her to the Belgian Senate
Belgian Senate
The Belgian Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Chamber of Representatives. It is considered to be the "upper house" of the Federal Parliament.-History and future:...
and made her move to Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
. In 2004 she became fraction leader in 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...
(2004-2007). Since October 2006, she is first 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 Mechelen, responsible for education, youth, employment and social economy.
After the electoral defeat in June 2007 at the federal elections, she was elected the successor of Johan Vande Lanotte
Johan Vande Lanotte
Johan Cyrille Corneel Vande Lanotte is a Belgian politician. He is a member of the SP.A, and became its party president on 15 October 2005...
as chairperson of the SP.A, the party of which she has been vice-president since 2003. Between May and October 2005, she was already chairperson ad interim of the SP.A. After her announcement in June 2011 to not run for a second term as chairwoman, she was succeeded by Bruno Tobback
Bruno Tobback
Bruno Tobback was the Minister of Environment and Pensions in the Belgian federal government from 2004 until 2007. He is a Flemish socialist and member of the Different Socialist Party , and the son of former minister and current Mayor of Leuven Louis Tobback...
on 18 September 2011.