Julien Lahaut
Encyclopedia
Julien Lahaut
Julien Lahaut (6 September 1884, Seraing
, near Liège, Belgium
- 18 August 1950, (Seraing) was a Belgian politician, who died by assassination.
, and was particularly vocal for his republican sympathies.
When King Baudouin of Belgium pledged his commitment to Belgium as future King, before the Parliament on 11 August 1950, one of the Communist deputies shouted "Vive la République! Vive Julien Lahaut!" ("Long Live the Republic! Long Live Julien Lahaut!") in protest. A few days before, there had been a strike followed by 500,000 persons opposed to the return of the monarchy
, especially after Leopold III
's compromises with the Nazis. A week later, Lahaut was shot dead before his house by two killers. François Goossens, a Belgian royalist, was later revealed to be one of the assassins, although it has become doubtful if Goossens was the actual shooter, after someone else has come forward claiming that he was the one who shot Lahaut.
Julien Lahaut (6 September 1884, Seraing
Seraing
Seraing is a Walloon municipality of Belgium in Province of Liege. The municipality of Seraing includes the old communes of Boncelles, Jemeppe-sur-Meuse, and Ougrée. With Liège, Herstal, Saint-Nicolas, Ans, and Flémalle it forms the greater Liège agglomeration...
, near Liège, Belgium
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...
- 18 August 1950, (Seraing) was a Belgian politician, who died by assassination.
Political background
Lahaut became a Communist deputy and chairman of the Communist Party of BelgiumCommunist Party of Belgium
Communist Party of Belgium was a political party in Belgium. The youth wing of KPB/PCB was known as the Communist Youth of Belgium. The party published Le Drapeau Rouge in French and De Roode Vaan in Dutch.- History :It was formed at a congress in Anderlecht on September 3-4 1921...
, and was particularly vocal for his republican sympathies.
Assassination
Lahaut was assassinated on 18 August 1950 at Seraing. Following his murder, strikes were organised all over the country, while 300,000 people attended his funeral.When King Baudouin of Belgium pledged his commitment to Belgium as future King, before the Parliament on 11 August 1950, one of the Communist deputies shouted "Vive la République! Vive Julien Lahaut!" ("Long Live the Republic! Long Live Julien Lahaut!") in protest. A few days before, there had been a strike followed by 500,000 persons opposed to the return of the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
, especially after Leopold III
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
's compromises with the Nazis. A week later, Lahaut was shot dead before his house by two killers. François Goossens, a Belgian royalist, was later revealed to be one of the assassins, although it has become doubtful if Goossens was the actual shooter, after someone else has come forward claiming that he was the one who shot Lahaut.