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Alexander De Croo

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Article Genealogy
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Alexander De Croo
NameAlexander De Croo
CaptionDe Croo in 2021
OfficePrime Minister of Belgium
Term start1 October 2020
MonarchPhilippe
PredecessorSophie Wilmès
Office1Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium
Term start111 October 2014
Term end11 October 2020
Primeminister1Charles Michel, Sophie Wilmès
Predecessor1Pieter De Crem
Successor1Vincent Van Quickenborne
Office2Minister of Finance
Term start211 October 2014
Term end21 October 2020
Primeminister2Charles Michel, Sophie Wilmès
Predecessor2Koen Geens
Successor2Vincent Van Peteghem
Office3Minister of Development Cooperation
Term start322 October 2012
Term end311 October 2014
Primeminister3Elio Di Rupo
Predecessor3Paul Magnette
Successor3Annemie Turtelboom
Office4Minister of Pensions
Term start422 October 2012
Term end411 October 2014
Primeminister4Elio Di Rupo
Predecessor4Vincent Van Quickenborne
Successor4Daniel Bacquelaine
Birth date3 November 1975
Birth placeVilvoorde, Belgium
PartyOpen Vld
Alma materVrije Universiteit Brussel, Northwestern University
SpouseAnnik Penders

Alexander De Croo is a Belgian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Belgium since October 2020, leading the federal government. He previously held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister in the Michel I Government. A member of the Open Vld, his premiership followed the lengthy government formation after the 2019 Belgian federal election.

Early life and education

Born in Vilvoorde, he is the son of former Senate President Herman De Croo. He attended the Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels before pursuing higher education in engineering and business. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the United States.

Business career

Before entering politics, he built a career in the telecommunications and consulting sectors. He worked as a management consultant for the firm The Boston Consulting Group in London and Brussels. He later served as the CEO of the Belgian internet service provider Skynet and held a senior position at the multinational company DHL Express. His business experience heavily influenced his later advocacy for digital transformation and economic modernization.

Political career

He entered national politics and was elected as a member of the Chamber of Representatives in 2010. He became the political president of the Open Vld in 2009, a role he held until 2012. In October 2012, he joined the Di Rupo Government as Minister of Pensions and Minister of Development Cooperation. Following the 2014 Belgian federal election, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the Michel I Government, a coalition of N-VA, CD&V, and Open Vld.

Prime Minister of Belgium

After the collapse of the Michel II Government and the subsequent 2019–2020 Belgian government formation, he was appointed formateur by King Philippe in September 2020. He successfully formed a seven-party Vivaldi coalition government, comprising Open Vld, PS, MR, CD&V, Ecolo, Groen, and sp.a. His government's agenda has focused on managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, implementing a National Recovery and Resilience Plan with European Union funds, and addressing climate policy through initiatives like the North Sea wind farms.

Political positions and views

He identifies as a social liberal and pro-European politician, strongly supporting the European Union and NATO. His policy priorities include digitalization, gender equality, and ambitious climate change action, aligning with the European Green Deal. He has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights in Belgium and international human rights, often criticizing governments like those in Hungary and Poland over rule of law issues. He supports free trade agreements and has worked on tax reform during his tenure as finance minister.

Personal life

He is married to Annik Penders, a communications professional, and they have two children. His father, Herman De Croo, was a long-serving politician and former speaker of the Belgian Senate. He is fluent in Dutch, French, and English. An avid reader and runner, he has cited historical figures like Winston Churchill and modern entrepreneurs as influences on his leadership style.

Category:1975 births Category:Prime Ministers of Belgium Category:Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats politicians