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(s) | 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. 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 December 4, 2004, he was elected with just over 50 percent 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.
Personal life
He is married to Miet Bourlon and he has 2 children, a girl Lieze and a boy Jan Klaas.
External links
- Bart Somers (Official website)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Geert Bervoets |
Mayor of Mechelen 2001–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Renaat Landuyt Acting |
Minister-President of Flanders 2003–2004 |
Succeeded by Yves Leterme |
| Preceded by Dirk Sterckx |
Leader of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats 2004–2009 |
Succeeded by Guy Verhofstadt |