Stefaan De Clerck

ABOUT STEFAAN DE CLERCK

Belgian politician who is known for being the Minister of Justice and for being the chairman of the Christian Democrats and Flemish (CD&V) party from the years 1999 through 2003. He also served as mayor of his hometown of Kortrijk.

He graduated in law from the Catholic University of Leuven in the year 1975. He then practiced as a lawyer in his hometown before getting into politics. He became a member of the House of Representatives in 1999.

He was appointed Minister of Justice, but had to resign after serial killer Marc Dutroux managed to escape from a courthouse in Neufchâteau on the date of April 23, 1998. He authored the bill abolishing the death penalty in Belgium, which was approved in the year 1996.

He was born and raised in Kortrijk, Belgium. His father was also a politician.

He belonged to the same political party as Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy .