Karel Van Miert (ˈkaː.rəl vɐn ˈmiːrt) (17 January 1942 – 22 June 2009) was a socialist Flemish politician.

He was born in Oud-Turnhout

Oud-Turnhout

Oud-Turnhout is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Oud-Turnhout proper. On January 1, 2006 Oud-Turnhout had a total population of 12,653. The total area is 38.80 km² which gives a population density of 326 inhabitants per...

. He studied at Ghent University

Ghent University

Ghent University is a Dutch-speaking public university located in Ghent, Belgium. It is one of the larger Flemish universities, consisting of 32,000 students and 7,100 staff members. The current rector is Paul Van Cauwenberge.It was established in 1817 by King William I of the Netherlands...

 (1962–1966) and gained a degree in diplomatic sciences. In 1976 he became adjunct-national secretary of the – at that time – unitary Belgian socialist party. Two years later he became president of the Different Socialist Party. In 1989 he was appointed European commissioner

European Commissioner

A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Member within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission...

 responsible for transport, credit and investment and consumer policy. In 1992 he also became in charge of environment. On 26 May 1992 he was appointed Minister of State

Minister of State (Belgium)

The Minister of State is an honorary title in Belgium. It is formally granted by the Belgian monarch, but on the initiative of the Belgian federal government. It is given on a personal basis, for life rather than for a specified period. The title is granted for exceptional merits, generally to...

. From 1993 till 1999 he served as vice-chairman of the European commission and was responsible for competition policy. In 2001, he was awarded the Vlerick Award

Vlerick Award

The Vlerick Award is a Belgian award granted by the Alumni of the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School. The nominees must be a Belgian manager with excelling management skills who has achieved sustainable results from an international perspective...

. He also worked with Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...

, a global pharmaceutical corporation.

On 22 June 2009, 67-year-old Van Miert died at his home in Beersel

Beersel

Beersel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Alsemberg, Beersel proper, Dworp, Huizingen and Lot. On January 1, 2006 Beersel had a total population of 23,433. The total area is 30.01 km² which gives a population density of 781...

, after falling from a garden ladder when he had a cardiac arrest.

Political curriculum

• Member of the European Parliament
  Member of the European Parliament
  A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
  
   (1979–1985)
• Deputy in the Belgian Chamber (1985–1988)
• European Commissioner
  European Commissioner
  A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Member within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission...
  
  (1989–1999)