Bart Somers
Bart Somers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Mechelen | |
| Assumed office 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Geert Bervoets |
| Leader of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats | |
| In office 2004–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Dirk Sterckx |
| Succeeded by | Guy Verhofstadt |
| Minister-President of Flanders | |
| In office 11 June 2003 – 20 July 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Renaat Landuyt (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Yves Leterme |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 May 1964 Mechelen, Belgium |
| Political party | Open Vld |
| Spouse | Miet Bourlon |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Catholic University of Leuven |
| Website | Official website |
Bartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen) is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen and President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Committee of the Regions. In 2017 Bart Somers was awarded 2016 World Mayor Prize as recognition for his outstanding achievements in welcoming refugees during recent years and for the long-term integration of immigrants from different cultures, religions and social backgrounds.[1][2][3] He obtained a law degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
Political career
Between 2003 and 2004 he was the Minister-President of Flanders.
After the regional elections of June 2004 he was appointed the interim chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD). On 4 December 2004, he was elected with just over 50 percent of the vote to a full term as chairman.
Bart Somers was one of the three negotiators for the Open VLD during the 2007 Belgian government formation.
After his party's defeat in the regional elections of 2009, he resigned as chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats.
In June, 2016, the European Committee of the Regions adopted Bart Somers report on "Combatting Radicalisation and Violent Extremism: Prevention mechanisms at local and regional level".[4] His opinion won cross-party support for its calls for more effective policing, for more cooperation between local, regional, national and European authorities, and for an approach based on respect for core principles.[5][6]
In October, 2016, Bart Somers was elected as Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Committee of the Regions.[7]
In February 2017, he received the "World Mayor Prize 2016", an election for the year's best mayor in the world.[8]
Personal life
He is married to Miet Bourlon and he has two children, a girl Lieze and a boy Jan Klaas.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Mechelen mayor Bart Somers wins World Mayor Prize | Flanders Today". www.flanderstoday.eu. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "World Mayor: Mechelen Mayor Bart Somers". www.worldmayor.com. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "Bart Somers awarded 2016 World Mayor Prize - ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions". ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Combatting radicalisation: how local authorities can play a crucial role". The Guest Blog. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "Liberal rapporteurs in the CoR tackle food waste and radicalisation - ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions". ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions. 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "Bart Somers elected as new ALDE CoR President - ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions". ALDE Group - Liberals & Democrats in the European Committee of the Regions. 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ Haezendonck, Sven Van. "Bart Somers wint prestigieuze '2016 World Mayor Prize': "Een voorbeeld voor heel Europa"". Gazet van Antwerpen (in Flemish). Retrieved 2017-02-27.
External links
- Bart Somers (Official website)
- ALDE Group in the European Committee of the Regions (official website)
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