Achille Van Acker
Encyclopedia
Achille Honoré Van Acker (8 April 1898—10 July 1975) was the 33rd Prime Minister of Belgium
in four different cabinets from 1945 to 1958, for a total period of seven years. He was a member of the BSP-PSB - the then still national Belgian Socialist Party
. He was nicknamed Achille Charbon.
on 8 April 1898 in a family with 12 children. Van Acker only went to school until his 10th year. Van Acker became a member of the city council of Bruges
in 1926. The following year the 29 year old Van Acker was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
. During the Second World War, Van Acker organized the Vlaamse Centrale der Illegale Partij.
After the Second World War, Van Acker became Prime Minister
of Belgium in four different cabinets (the first of which saw the passage of Belgium’s first compulsory health insurance law) and served as Minister of Labour and Social Services, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Mobility and Minister of Mining (which led to his nickname). From 1961 until 1974 he served as President of the Chamber of Representatives. He was named Minister of State in 1958.
The first three cabinets led by Van Acker were short-lived because of the crisis pertaining to Leopold III
which held Belgium in its grip from 1944-1951. During his fourth cabinet, Van Acker realized various social themes which led to Van Acker being known as the father of Belgian social security
.
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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...
in four different cabinets from 1945 to 1958, for a total period of seven years. He was a member of the BSP-PSB - the then still national Belgian Socialist Party
Belgian Socialist Party
The Belgian Socialist Party was a democratic socialist party which existed in Belgium from 1945 to 1978.The BSP was founded by activists from the Belgian Labour Party , which was the first Belgian socialist party. It ceased to function during the Second World War, while Belgium was under Nazi...
. He was nicknamed Achille Charbon.
Life
Van Acker was born in BrugesBruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
on 8 April 1898 in a family with 12 children. Van Acker only went to school until his 10th year. Van Acker became a member of the city council of Bruges
Bruges
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
in 1926. The following year the 29 year old Van Acker was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
The Belgian Chamber of Representatives is one of the two chambers in the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Senate...
. During the Second World War, Van Acker organized the Vlaamse Centrale der Illegale Partij.
After the Second World War, Van Acker became Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Belgium in four different cabinets (the first of which saw the passage of Belgium’s first compulsory health insurance law) and served as Minister of Labour and Social Services, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Mobility and Minister of Mining (which led to his nickname). From 1961 until 1974 he served as President of the Chamber of Representatives. He was named Minister of State in 1958.
The first three cabinets led by Van Acker were short-lived because of the crisis pertaining to 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,...
which held Belgium in its grip from 1944-1951. During his fourth cabinet, Van Acker realized various social themes which led to Van Acker being known as the father of Belgian social security
Social security
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...
.
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