Guy Verhofstadt belongs to the political record as a figure whose decisions outlasted the moment that produced them.
The record lists Guy Verhofstadt as Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008.
Guy Verhofstadt was born at Dendermonde in 1953. His recorded nationality is Belgium. He was educated at Ghent University.
Twentieth-century politics was conducted under the shadow of two world wars, decolonisation and the Cold War, and broadcast to electorates that could watch it happen.
The offices held were Prime Minister of Belgium (1999–2008), Member of the European Parliament (2009–2014) and member of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium (1988–1991).
His political affiliation is recorded as Anders.
Political reputations are settled slowly, and rarely by the people who made them.
Recognition followed: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (2007), Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (2000), Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2004) and Order of the Star of Romania.
That the career was made in Belgium is not incidental: the institutions available, the franchise, and the constraints of the moment all shaped what could be attempted.
Guy Verhofstadt's career is not finished, and the historical verdict on it has not been reached.
Achievements
- Prime Minister of Belgium (1999–2008)
- Member of the European Parliament (2009–2014)
- member of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium (1988–1991)
- Senator of Belgium (1995–1999)
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown — 2007
- Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic — 2000
- Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland — 2004
- Order of the Star of Romania
- Educated at Ghent University
