Belgium loses “its greatest prime minister ever”

The former Belgian prime minister Jean-Luc Dehaene died yesterday at the age of 73. A Flemish Christian-Democrat with roots in Bruges, Dehaene died following a fall in France, where he was on holiday with his wife. 

Dehaene, who earned a variety of nicknames over the years, such as “the Flemish carthorse” and “the plumber”, was known for his tough negotiating skills but also for how he appealed to the public.

He was a major political force in both European and Belgian politics, leading the country for seven years during the 1990s at a time when the Flemish and Walloon regions were gaining greater autonomy. He was also instrumental in ushering in the euro. 

His leadership coincided with the Dutroux crisis in the mid-1990s, when Belgium’s international reputation was seriously compromised by several child murders and a botched investigation. Dehaene lost the leadership in 1999 following a second crisis – the dioxin food scandal. In the election that followed, his party, CVP (now CD&V), lost its status as Flanders’ biggest party, a place it had held since 1945. The loss led to a new government coalition formed by Guy Verhofstadt (Open VLD).

Having spent much of his career living in Brussels, Dehaene went on to serve as mayor of Vilvoorde for six years. In 2004, he became a member of the European Parliament. As a widely respected elder legislator, he played a key role in setting up the European Union’s constitution that same year. 

Dehaene only retired earlier this year after undergoing a successful surgery for pancreatic cancer.

“The European family has lost a man of inspiration, leadership and devotion,” said European Commission president José Manuel Barroso upon hearing the news. Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said that Belgium had “lost an exceptional statesman. Jean-Luc was a special colleague”. 

President of the European Council and former Dehaene colleague Herman Van Rompuy was visibly shocked by the news. “He was the greatest prime minister this country has ever known,” he said. “I told him, ‘If I have learned anything, Jean-Luc, I’ve learned it from you.”

Willy Claes, who once served as vice-prime minister under Dehaene, noted his role in promoting Brussels. “The reason Brussels is the capital of Europe today is thanks to Dehaene,” he said. 

The CD&V party has put aside all election campaigning until Sunday out of respect. “We have lost a statesman who played a key role in the Belgian political framework of the past decade and in creating the united Europe in which we live today,” said party leader Kris Peeters.

Guy Verhofstadt, who took over as prime minister after Dehaene was defeated, said he was “shattered at the news of his death”.

The loss was also felt by Dehaene’s favourite football team Club Brugge. “Club Brugge has lost its greatest supporter,” said a spokesperson.

photo courtesy European Parliament