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Biography

Pieter De Crem was born on July 22, 1962, in Aalter in East Flanders. He starts his college years at the “Sint-Jan Berchmans” secondary school in Brussels. Next he obtains his Master’s degree in Romanic philology at the KUL (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) and in international and European Law at the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel).

During his university studies he acquired, besides a profound knowledge of languages, a deep understanding of the economic and financial systems and in international taxation.

Mr De Crem’s native language is Dutch; he thoroughly mastered French, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In addition, he has a basic knowledge of Russian.

Cabinet Experience

In 1987, at the end of his studies, he is recruited by the Roularta Media Group. From 1989 to 1992, he is first appointed as person in charge of the relations with Parliament within Prime Minister Wilfried Martens’ private office. Next he becomes advisor within the private office of the Minister of Defence and Vice-Prime Minister Léo Delcroix.

After a short period of time in the private sector between 1992 and 1993, he returns to his first passion: Belgian politics. His political career starts in 1989 with his election as Chairman of the youth CVP (Christelijke Volkspartij - Christian People’s Party) section Ghent-Eeklo.

Municipality of Aalter

In 1994, he stands for the first time as a candidate in the municipal elections in Aalter and is directly elected mayor. He confirms his result at the 2000, 2006 and 2012 elections reaching 64,56 % of the votes in 2012.

In 1995, he participates in the federal elections as young mayor running as CVP candidate for the constituency of Ghent-Eeklo. Being elected Member of Parliament, he becomes a member of the parliamentary Commission for Defence.

The House of Representatives

 
In 1999, he is re-elected and asserts himself as an extremely active member within the opposition. He is fascinated by national politics and after his re-election in the new constituency of East Flanders in 2003; he is appointed chairman of CD&V political group at the House of Representatives.

Minister

At the 2007 federal elections, Pieter De Crem stands as head of the list for the constituency of East Flanders and is re-elected by nearly 100,000 voters. While continuing his work as chairman of CD&V political group at the Parliament, he is appointed Chairman of the Commission for the Interior at the House of Representatives.

On December 21, 2007, he took the oath before His Majesty King Albert II as Minister of Defence in the interim-government. On March 20, 2008, he took the oath as minister in the government Leterme I. On December 30, 2008, he again took the oath as Minister of Defence in the government Van Rompuy I. On November 25, 2009, he took the oath before His Majesty King Albert II as Minister of Defence in the government Leterme II.

Pieter De Crem is today Minister in the government Di Rupo I. He was again assigned the competence of Defence. He was sworn in on December 6, 2011. Since 5 March 2013, he is also Deputy Prime Minister.

The year 1995 was a very happy year for Pieter De Crem: he started his remarkable political path and married Caroline. Together they have three children: Constantijn, Alicia et Victoria.