Frank Vandenbroucke (politician)

Frank Ignace Georgette Vandenbroucke (born 21 october 1955 in Leuven) is a Belgian, Flemish politician, and member of the SP.a. He is currently the Flemish minister for Work, Education and Training.

Early life and education

Frank Vandenbroucke got a Master in Economics from the KULeuven in 1978 and a M.Phil in Economics from Cambridge, UK (1981-1982). In 1999 he received a D.Phil from the Faculty of Social Studies, Oxford University.

After graduating from the KUL, Vandenbroucke became a Research Assistant at the "Centrum voor Economische Studiën" at the KUL (1978-1980). In 1982 he became a staff member of SEVI, the research department of the SP (1982-1985)

Political career

In 1985 Frank Vandenbroucke was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives and was re-elected in 1987, 1991 and 1995. In 1989 the 34 year old Vandenbroucke became chairman of the SP, a post he held until 1994, when he became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-1995). From 1995 to 1996 Vandenbroucke was the leader of the Parliamentary Group of the SP.

In 1994 Vandenbroucke had to resign as foreign minister and in 1996 he also resigned from parliament due to his involvement in the Agusta scandal. He acknowledged that he was confronted with 2 million francs which came as bribery money from the Italian helicopter builder Agusta. Refusing to have anything to do with the money, he advised to "have the money burned" if necessary. Vandenbroucke was never prosecuted but took a voluntary sabbatical at Oxford (1996-1999).

After the 1999 Belgian general election Vandenbroucke returned to politics to become Minister of Social Affairs and Pensions (1999-2003). After the 2003 elections he became Minister for Employment and Pensions (2003-2004).

After the 2004 regional elections, Vandenbroucke left the federal government for the Flemish government to become Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Work, Education and Training (2004-).