Petrus Josephus Jacobus Gabriëls (22 September 1943 – 8 April 2024) was a Belgian politician and member of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) (Dutch: Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or VLD). He graduated in 1965 at the Catholic University of Leuven as Master of Philosophy and Arts. He started his political career as a Provincial Councillor for Limburg from 1974 to 1977. From 1977 till the last day of December 2012 he was the Mayor of Bree,[1] and from 1977 he was Member of the Chamber of Representatives. From 1995 to 1999 he was a Member of the Flemish Parliament.

Jaak Gabriëls
Born
Petrus Josephus Jacobus Gabriëls

(1943-09-22)22 September 1943
Died8 April 2024(2024-04-08) (aged 80)
NationalityBelgian
Occupationpolitician

Gabriëls was the leader of the People's Union (Dutch: Volksunie or VU) from 1986 to 1992 and was a founding member of the VLD. He also was Federal Minister of Agriculture[2] and middle class (from 1999 to 2001) and Flemish Minister of Economy, Foreign Trade and Housing (from 2001 to 2003). He again became a Member of the Flemish Parliament in 2003 and he became a Minister of State in 2004.[3]

Gabriëls died in Bree on 8 April 2024, at the age of 80.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Clijsters married in dawn wedding". BBC. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  2. ^ Mad sheep : the true story behind the usda's war on a family farm. White River Junction: Chelsea Green. 2007. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-933392-76-9. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  3. ^ Res Publica, Vol XLVII. ACCO. 2004. p. 268. ISBN 978-90-334-6069-2.
  4. ^ "Oud-minister Jaak Gabriëls overleden op 80-jarige leeftijd". Nieuwsblad. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.