Sven Gatz returns to politics as Flemish Minister

Three years after he said goodbye to politics to become director of the Union of Belgian Brewers, Sven Gatz will return to the political scene as Flemish Minister for Culture, Media, Youth and Brussels. The 47-year-old former liberal fraction leader in the Flemish Parliament is to become, next to Annemie Turtelboom, one of the two Open VLD ministers in the new government under Geert Bourgeois (N-VA).

Gatz began his career at the Volksunie (People's Union) and later Spirit, before joining Open VLD. He served ten years in the Brussels Parliament and in the Flemish Parliament, where he was leader from 2007 to 2011. Afterwards he distanced himself from politics, seemingly for good, to lead the Union of Belgian Brewers.

Gatz announced his return to politics on Friday via Twitter: “My favorite Godfather quote: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.”