Fientje Moerman
Encyclopedia
Joséphine Rebecca Marie Julienne Bertha "Fientje" Moerman (b. Ghent
, 19 October 1958) is a Belgian
liberal politician.
) and at Harvard University
(United States
).
and Brussels
(1982–1984). Afterwards she became editor economy and finances for the journal De Standaard
(1984–1985). Halfway the eighties of the twentieth century she was the spokeswoman of the European liberals in the European parliament and then consultant of the French former-president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
(1985–1991). Afterwards she was senior consultant in the European liberal fraction, was specialized in institutional reforms and relations with Israel
and the Gulf States (1991–1995). During 1994-1995 she was member of the Tindemans group
. Between 1988 and 1995 she also was municipal councillor and from 1995 up to 1999 alderman
of Ghent for education. In 1999, she was elected to the Chamber of Representatives. In 2003, she joined the government Verhofstadt II
as Minister of Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy, but in July 2004 she left the Federal Government to become the Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprises, Innovation, Science and Foreign Trade. She was also Deputy Minister-President of the Flemish Government
.
After a negative report around the case by the Flemish ombudsman, on 10 October 2007 Fientje Moerman resigned due to the fallout of the hiring scandal; she was replaced as vice-minister-president by Dirk Van Mechelen
and as minister by Patricia Ceysens
.
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, 19 October 1958) 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...
liberal politician.
Education
In 1981 Fientje Moerman obtained a Master degree in law. She studied law at the University of Ghent (BelgiumBelgium
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...
) and at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
).
Professional career
She started her career as a lawyer in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
(1982–1984). Afterwards she became editor economy and finances for the journal De Standaard
De Standaard
De Standaard is a Flemish daily newspaper published in Belgium by Corelio . Circulation was about 102.280 in 2007. It was traditionally a Christian-Democratic paper, associated with the Christian-Democratic and Flemish Party, and in opposition to the Socialist Flemish daily De Morgen...
(1984–1985). Halfway the eighties of the twentieth century she was the spokeswoman of the European liberals in the European parliament and then consultant of the French former-president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing is a French centre-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981...
(1985–1991). Afterwards she was senior consultant in the European liberal fraction, was specialized in institutional reforms and relations with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the Gulf States (1991–1995). During 1994-1995 she was member of the Tindemans group
Tindemans group
The Tindemans Group was a EU group of reflection in 1994-1995, set up with the aim of bringing the general public into the debate about the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference with a view to enlargement with new member states from Central and Eastern Europe. It was chaired by Leo Tindemans, former...
. Between 1988 and 1995 she also was municipal councillor and from 1995 up to 1999 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...
of Ghent for education. In 1999, she was elected to the Chamber of Representatives. In 2003, she joined the government Verhofstadt II
Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt is a Belgian politician who was the 47th Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008. He is currently a Member of the European Parliament and leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.- Early career :...
as Minister of Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy, but in July 2004 she left the Federal Government to become the Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprises, Innovation, Science and Foreign Trade. She was also Deputy Minister-President of 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...
.
Hiring scandal and resignation
In August 2007, Moerman became embroiled in a scandal around the hiring of experts for her cabinet. Her former chief of staff Aernoudt accused her of tampering with the rules for public procurement.After a negative report around the case by the Flemish ombudsman, on 10 October 2007 Fientje Moerman resigned due to the fallout of the hiring scandal; she was replaced as vice-minister-president by Dirk Van Mechelen
Dirk Van Mechelen
Dirk Louis Maria Van Mechelen is the Flemish minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning. He is a member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats.-Education:...
and as minister by Patricia Ceysens
Patricia Ceysens
Patricia Ceysens is a Flemish politician and member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party, being the vice-chairman of the party. She served in the Flemish Government of 2004-2009 as Minister of Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade...
.