Gaston Geens
Encyclopedia
Gaston C.S.A. Geens was a Flemish
politician
and minister-president of Flanders.
Geens received a Master in Law from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
as well as a licentiate
of economy.
In 1961 Geens, together with Frank Swaelen
and Leo Tindemans, was part of a think tank of the CVP. In 1972 he became a member of the party leadership. Geens was elected a member of the city council of Winksele
in 1970. After Winksele's fusion with Herent
in 1976 he became a member of that city council.
In 1974 in a government led by Tindemans, Geens became Secretary of State for the Budget and Science. In 1976 he was promoted to minister but with the same competences. He became Minister of Finance in the second Tindemans cabinet, but this coalition fell over the Egmont pact
. He remained Minister of Finance under Paul Vanden Boeynants
and in the first two coalitions led by Wilfried Martens
. During the third government led by Martens he again became minister of the budget. During Martens IV, Geens became minister-president of the Flemish Executive
which he led until 1992.
Geens gave Flanders a new economical identity, by taking the initiative for the Derde Industriële Revolutie in Vlaanderen (E:third industrial revolution in Flanders), Flanders Technology
and the Flemish Aerospace Group
(FLAG).
Gaston Geens was seventy when he died at home due to cardiac arrest
. On 30 May 2009, a statue of Geens was unveiled in Aarschot
by Herman Van Rompuy
.
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and minister-president of Flanders.
Geens received a Master in Law from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
as well as a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
of economy.
In 1961 Geens, together with Frank Swaelen
Frank Swaelen
Frank Swaelen was a Belgian Christian Democratic politician and member of the Christian People's Party . He was born in Antwerp. In 1968, he became a member of the Chamber of Representatives...
and Leo Tindemans, was part of a think tank of the CVP. In 1972 he became a member of the party leadership. Geens was elected a member of the city council of Winksele
Herent
Herent is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Herent proper, Veltem-Beisem and Winksele. On January 1, 2006 Herent had a total population of 19,218. The total area is 32.73 km² which gives a population density of 587 inhabitants...
in 1970. After Winksele's fusion with Herent
Herent
Herent is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Herent proper, Veltem-Beisem and Winksele. On January 1, 2006 Herent had a total population of 19,218. The total area is 32.73 km² which gives a population density of 587 inhabitants...
in 1976 he became a member of that city council.
In 1974 in a government led by Tindemans, Geens became Secretary of State for the Budget and Science. In 1976 he was promoted to minister but with the same competences. He became Minister of Finance in the second Tindemans cabinet, but this coalition fell over the Egmont pact
Egmont pact
The Egmont pact of 1977 is an agreement on the reform of Belgium into a federal state and on the relations between the linguistic communities in the country...
. He remained Minister of Finance under Paul Vanden Boeynants
Paul Vanden Boeynants
Paul Emile François Henri Vanden Boeynants was a Belgian politician. He served as the 41st Prime Minister of Belgium for two brief periods ....
and in the first two coalitions led by Wilfried Martens
Wilfried Martens
Wilfried Martens is a Belgian politician. He was born in Sleidinge . Martens was the 44th Prime Minister of Belgium from 3 April 1979 to 6 April 1981 and 17 December 1981 to 7 March 1992....
. During the third government led by Martens he again became minister of the budget. During Martens IV, Geens became minister-president of the Flemish Executive
Flemish government
The Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
which he led until 1992.
Geens gave Flanders a new economical identity, by taking the initiative for the Derde Industriële Revolutie in Vlaanderen (E:third industrial revolution in Flanders), Flanders Technology
Technopolis (Belgium)
-Flanders Technology International:Technopolis is an initiative which grew out of the Flanders Technology International Foundation, which was an initiative of the Flemish government. Since 7 October 1999, the FTI offices are located within the premises of the Technopolis centre and the name of the...
and the Flemish Aerospace Group
Flemish Aerospace Group
The Flemish Aerospace Group is an association of Flemish aerospace industries and related partners, which is located in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium...
(FLAG).
Gaston Geens was seventy when he died at home due to cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
. On 30 May 2009, a statue of Geens was unveiled in Aarschot
Aarschot
Aarschot is a city and municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aarschot proper and the towns of Gelrode, Langdorp and Rillaar. On January 1, 2006 Aarschot had a total population of 27,864...
by Herman Van Rompuy
Herman Van Rompuy
Herman Achille Van Rompuy is the first long-term and full-time President of the European Council...
.