Staf De Clercq
Encyclopedia
Staf De Clercq was a Flemish nationalist collaborator, co-founder and leader of the Flemish nationalist Vlaamsch Nationaal Verbond (Flemish National League, or VNV).
, East Flanders
on 16 September 1884. Initially a member of the moderate Frontpartij
he became party leader in 1932 and moved them to the right, converting them into VNV the following year. In 1936 his new party gained 13.6% of the votes in Flanders
, and 14.7% in 1939.
Welcoming of the Nazi German
occupation, De Clercq believed it to constitute a chance for the creation of a Diets state, an unprecedented (apart from the medieval Burgundian personal union
) Dutch language
-based community uniting Flanders, the Netherlands
and even the part of northern France with Flemish dialects (corresponding to French Flanders). Aside from this unlikely project, he was a violent anti-semite
, and his organization supported the German occupiers in the identification and round-up of Jews
for deportation.
He died in Ghent
and was succeeded by Hendrik Elias
. In 1978 the Vlaamse Militanten Orde
, a neo-Nazi paramilitary
group, had his body transferred to the cemetery in Asse
.
Biography
He was born as Jeroom Gustaaf De Clercq in EverbeekEverbeek
Everbeek is a village situated in the Flemish Ardennes and in the Denderstreek in Belgium. In 1975, it was included into the municipality of Brakel...
, East Flanders
East Flanders
East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders...
on 16 September 1884. Initially a member of the moderate Frontpartij
Frontpartij
The Frontpartij was a Belgian political party that campaigned for increasing recognition for the Flemish people and their language. Originating from the earlier Frontbeweging, the Frontpartij was an early attempt to fully politicise the Flemish Movement...
he became party leader in 1932 and moved them to the right, converting them into VNV the following year. In 1936 his new party gained 13.6% of the votes in Flanders
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
, and 14.7% in 1939.
Welcoming of the Nazi German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
occupation, De Clercq believed it to constitute a chance for the creation of a Diets state, an unprecedented (apart from the medieval Burgundian personal union
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
) Dutch language
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
-based community uniting Flanders, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and even the part of northern France with Flemish dialects (corresponding to French Flanders). Aside from this unlikely project, he was a violent anti-semite
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, and his organization supported the German occupiers in the identification and round-up of Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
for deportation.
He died in Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
and was succeeded by Hendrik Elias
Hendrik Elias
Hendrik Josef Elias was a Belgian politician and Flemish nationalist.-Biography:Elias was a noted academic, holding doctorates in both Law and Philosophy from studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, the University of Paris and the University of Bonn before serving in a number of leading...
. In 1978 the Vlaamse Militanten Orde
Vlaamse Militanten Orde
The Vlaamse Militanten Orde or VMO – originally Vlaamse Militanten Organisatie – was a Flemish nationalist activist group in Belgium defending far-right interests by propaganda and political action...
, a neo-Nazi paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
group, had his body transferred to the cemetery in Asse
Asse
Asse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191...
.
External links
- A Short History of Flanders and the Flemish Movement from the Vlaams BlokVlaams BlokThe Vlaams Blok was a Belgian far-right and secessionist political party with an anti-immigration platform. Its ideologies embraced Flemish nationalism, calling for the independence of Flanders. From its creation in 1978, it was the most notable militant right wing of the Flemish movement. Vlaams...
site. (Please note that "Vlaams Blok", recently renamed into "Vlaams Belang", is a party situated on the far right of the political spectrum).