Mark Eyskens
Encyclopedia
Marc Maria Frans, Viscount Eyskens (born 29 April 1933), known as Mark Eyskens ˈmɑɾk ˈʔɛɪ̯skəns, is a Belgian
economist and politician in the Christian People's Party (Belgium), now called Christian Democratic and Flemish
, and briefly served as Prime Minister of Belgium in 1981.
, the son of Gaston Eyskens
, and lived for a time at the International House of New York
. When Germany invaded Belgium Eyskens and his mother fled to France but upon the Belgian capitulation the family returned to Leuven.
. In 1962 he received a doctorate in economic sciences. In 1962 he became a professor at the University of Leuven (1962–1998). From 1971 to 1976 he was chairman of the university. He was a member of the Club of Rome
(1972–1978).
In 1976 Eyskens became Secretary of State for Town and Country Planning and Housing (1976–1977, Tindemans I). Eyskens was first elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 1977. He was re-elected (1977
, 1981
, 1985
, 1987
, 1991
, 1978
, 1995
, 1999
) and served until 2003.
He became Secretary of State for the budget and Flemish affairs (1977–1979, Tindemans II & Vanden Boeynants II), Minister of Development Aid (1979–1980, Martens I, Martens II & Martens III) and Minister of Finance (1980–1981, Martens IV). Mark Eyskens became the 45th Prime Minister of Belgium on 6 April 1981, an office his father had held six times. His government quickly collapsed on 17 December, due to disagreements on the financing of the Walloon steel industry. After the fall of his government he served as Minister for Economical Affairs (1981–1985, Martens V) and Minister of Finance (1985–1988, Martens VI & Martens VII). Although originally not a member of the Martens VIII cabinet, on June 19, 1989 he re-entered the government when he replaced Leo Tindemans as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1989–1992, Martens VIII & Martens IX). This was the last government office he held. He served as a backbencher 1992-2003 and retired at the 2003 general election.
. In the 2006 provincial elections Eyskens was elected to the provincial council of Vlaams Brabant. He served from 2007 until his resignation in 2009.
Eyskens is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Global Panel Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of the Itinera Institute
think-tank and of B Plus
.
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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...
economist and politician in the Christian People's Party (Belgium), now called Christian Democratic and Flemish
Christian Democratic and Flemish
The Christian Democratic and Flemish is a political party of Belgium, formerly called Christian People's Party...
, and briefly served as Prime Minister of Belgium in 1981.
Background
He was born in LeuvenLeuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, the son of Gaston Eyskens
Gaston Eyskens
Gaston François Marie, Viscount Eyskens was a Belgian economist, Christian Democratic politician of the CVP-PSC, and statesman.He was a six-time Prime Minister of Belgium from 1949 to 1950, 1958 to 1961 and 1968 to 1973...
, and lived for a time at the International House of New York
International House of New York
International House New York, also known as I-House, is an unaffiliated and non-profit residence hall for graduate students, scholars engaging in research, trainees and interns...
. When Germany invaded Belgium Eyskens and his mother fled to France but upon the Belgian capitulation the family returned to Leuven.
Academic career
In 1953 Mark Eyskens attained a bachelor's degree in philosophy. In 1956 Eyskens became a doctor iuris at the University of Leuven. In 1957 he obtained a Master of Arts in Economics at Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. In 1962 he received a doctorate in economic sciences. In 1962 he became a professor at the University of Leuven (1962–1998). From 1971 to 1976 he was chairman of the university. He was a member of the Club of Rome
Club of Rome
The Club of Rome is a global think tank that deals with a variety of international political issues. Founded in 1968 at Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, Italy, the CoR describes itself as "a group of world citizens, sharing a common concern for the future of humanity." It consists of current and...
(1972–1978).
Political career
In 1962 Eyskens started his political career as a counsellor in the cabinet of the Minister of Finance André Dequae.In 1976 Eyskens became Secretary of State for Town and Country Planning and Housing (1976–1977, Tindemans I). Eyskens was first elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 1977. He was re-elected (1977
Belgian general election, 1977
General elections were held in Belgium on 17 April 1977. The result was a victory for the Christian People's Party, which won 56 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 28 of the 106 seats in the Senate. Voter turnout was 95.1%....
, 1981
Belgian general election, 1981
General elections were held in Belgium on 8 November 1981. The Christian People's Party emerged as the largest party, with 43 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives. Voter turnout was 94.5% in the Chamber election and 94.6% in the Senate election....
, 1985
Belgian general election, 1985
The 13 October 1985 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate....
, 1987
Belgian general election, 1987
The 13 December 1987 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate....
, 1991
Belgian general election, 1991
The 24 November 1991 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate.The results represented a big loss for the majority parties . The Vlaams Blok on the other hand had a very big gain....
, 1978
Belgian general election, 1978
General elections were held in Belgium on 17 December 1978. The Christian People's Party emerged as the largest party, with 57 of the 212 seats in the Chamber of Representatives and 29 of the 106 seats in the Senate. Voter turnout was 94.8%....
, 1995
Belgian general election, 1995
The 21 May 1995 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate. The Christian People's Party won the elections, and Jean-Luc Dehaene continued as Prime Minister.-Senate:...
, 1999
Belgian general election, 1999
The June 13, 1999 Belgian general elections was a Belgian election for the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and Belgian Senate. The federal general elections were held on the same day as the European elections and the regional elections. The Flemish Liberals and Democrats won the elections.The...
) and served until 2003.
He became Secretary of State for the budget and Flemish affairs (1977–1979, Tindemans II & Vanden Boeynants II), Minister of Development Aid (1979–1980, Martens I, Martens II & Martens III) and Minister of Finance (1980–1981, Martens IV). Mark Eyskens became the 45th Prime Minister of Belgium on 6 April 1981, an office his father had held six times. His government quickly collapsed on 17 December, due to disagreements on the financing of the Walloon steel industry. After the fall of his government he served as Minister for Economical Affairs (1981–1985, Martens V) and Minister of Finance (1985–1988, Martens VI & Martens VII). Although originally not a member of the Martens VIII cabinet, on June 19, 1989 he re-entered the government when he replaced Leo Tindemans as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1989–1992, Martens VIII & Martens IX). This was the last government office he held. He served as a backbencher 1992-2003 and retired at the 2003 general election.
Later career
On 18 November 1998 Mark Eyskens was made a Minister of StateMinister 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...
. In the 2006 provincial elections Eyskens was elected to the provincial council of Vlaams Brabant. He served from 2007 until his resignation in 2009.
Eyskens is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Global Panel Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of the Itinera Institute
Itinera Institute
The Itinera Institute is a Brussels-based independent think-tank that undertakes research that “identifies and promotes roads for policy reform towards sustained economic growth and social protection, for Belgium and its regions.” It was founded in 2006 by Professor Marc De Vos.-Scholars:As of mid...
think-tank and of B Plus
B Plus
B Plus is a Belgian non profit organization which promotes tolerance and solidarity between the communities of Belgium. The organization supports federalism as a way to organize the Belgian state...
.
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