Jean Van Houtte

Jean Marie Joseph Van Houtte (born March 17, 1907 in Ghent , † May 23, 1991 in Etterbeek ) was a Belgian Christian Democratic financial expert, politician and Prime Minister.

Studies and professional career

After studying law and gaining a doctorate in law, he initially worked as a notary. Later he was Professor of Law at the Universities of Ghent and Liège and Director of the Institute for Public Finance.

Political career

Van Houtte represented the Christian People's Party (CVP) in the Senate from 1949 to 1968 . There he was chairman of the finance committee from 1965 to 1968.

From June 8, 1950 to January 15, 1952 he was Minister of Finance in the cabinets of Jean Duvieusart and Joseph Pholien .

On January 15, 1952, he was finally appointed Prime Minister himself. He held this office until he was replaced by Achille Van Acker on April 23, 1954. His reign was marked by the global recession at the time . In addition, the opposition criticized the repression against Belgian collaborators , which they consider too mild, and the extension of military service.

From June 26, 1958 to April 25, 1961, the recognized finance expert was reappointed finance minister by Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens . During this time he also served on the Board of Governors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) . He was also Governor of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 1959 .

Awards

For his achievements in politics, he received the royal honorary title of "Minister of State" in 1966 and was made a baron by King Baudouin I in 1970 .

He was also a Doctor honoris causa from the Universities of Grenoble , Lille and Nice .

Publications

• The responsabilité civile dans les transports aériens intérieurs et internationaux , Louvain 1940

Web links

• Biography on the homepage of the Prime Minister of Belgium
• Cabinet Ministerial List 1952-1954
• “Gains for the Socialists”, in: TIME magazine of April 19, 1954
• http://www.ars-moriendi.be/van_houtte.htm