Koen_Geens

Koen Geens

Koen Geens

Belgian politician

Koen Geens (born 22 January 1958) is a Belgian jurist and politician of the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) who served as the Minister of Justice and as Deputy Prime Minister in the governments of Prime Ministers Charles Michel and Sophie Wilmès.

Quick Facts Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Prime Minister ...

Early life and education

Geens studied at the University of Antwerp (UFSIA) and the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), where he received his law degree in 1980, and at Harvard University where he received an LL.M.

Career

Early career

Since 1986 Geens has become a professor at the KU Leuven. In that capacity, he was appointed by the Belgian government as the scientific coordinator for the codification of the Belgian laws on companies and financial accounts, which culminated in a new Belgian company code in 2001.[1] In 2009 Geens was a candidate for rector of the KU Leuven but lost out to Mark Waer.

Geens is a co-founder of an independent lawfirm in Belgium with offices in Antwerp, Brussels and Kortrijk.

Political career

From 2007 to 2009 Geens served as chief of staff to the Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters. When Steven Vanackere resigned in March 2013 as Minister of Finance, Geens was appointed as his successor.[2]

In October 2014 Geens became Minister of Justice in the Michel Government. In addition, he chaired the European People's Party’s Justice Ministers Meeting.[3]

During his time in office, Geens steered through the legislative process a 2015 law which invalidated passports and identity cards of people authorities believe plan to go and fight for militant Islamist organizations in the Middle East.[4] In the wake of the 2016 Brussels bombings, both Geens and fellow cabinet member Jan Jambon offered their resignation to Prime Minister Michel over lapses;[5] both were refused.[6][7]

As part of the government formation, Geens was appointed by King Philippe of Belgium to explore possibilities to form a coalition government in early 2020.

Other activities

International organizations

Corporate boards

Non-profit organizations

References

  1. [1]
    Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
  2. [2]
    Ben Deighton (March 5, 2013), Koen Geens appointed new Belgian finance minister - royal palace Reuters.
  3. [3]
    Council of the EU and Ministerial meetings European People’s Party (EPP).
  4. [4]
    Robert-Jan Bartunek (June 12, 2015), Belgium to revoke passports of suspected Islamist fighters Reuters.
  5. [5]
    Robert-Jan Bartunek (April 18, 2016), Belgian PM backs minister's comment that some Muslims cheered attacks Reuters.
  6. [6]
    Peter Spiegel (March 24, 2016), Two Belgian ministers offer to resign but are refused Financial Times.
  7. [7]
    Laurens Cerulus (March 24, 2016), Belgian ministers offer to quit over terror ‘mistakes’ Politico Europe.
  8. [8]
    Annual Report 2013 African Development Bank (AfDB).
  9. [9]
    Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
  10. [10]
    Members International Monetary Fund (IMF).
  11. [11]
    Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
  12. [12]
    Member of the Board of Directors of BNP Paribas Fortis appointed Finance Minister BNP Paribas Fortis, press release of March 6, 2013.
  13. [13]
    Governing Board Academy of European Law (ERA).
  14. [14]
    Board of Trustees KU Leuven.
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