Koen Geens

Koen Geens
Koen Geens
Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium
	In office; 2 July 2019 – 1 October 2020
Prime Minister	Charles Michel; Sophie Wilmès
Preceded by	Kris Peeters
Minister of Justice
	In office; 11 October 2014 – 1 October 2020
Prime Minister	Charles Michel; Sophie Wilmès
Preceded by	Annemie Turtelboom
Succeeded by	Vincent Van Quickenborne
Minister of Finance
	In office; 5 March 2013 – 11 October 2014
Prime Minister	Elio Di Rupo
Preceded by	Steven Vanackere
Succeeded by	Johan Van Overtveldt
Personal details
Born	22 January 1958 (age 66); Merksem, Belgium
Political party	Christian Democratic and Flemish
Alma mater	University of Antwerp; Catholic University of Leuven; Harvard University

Koen Geens (born 22 January 1958) is a Belgian jurist and politician of the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) who served as the Minister of Justice and as Deputy Prime Minister in the governments of Prime Ministers Charles Michel and Sophie Wilmès.

Early life and education

Geens studied at the University of Antwerp (UFSIA) and the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), where he received his law degree in 1980, and at Harvard University where he received an LL.M.

Career

Early career

Since 1986 Geens has become a professor at the KU Leuven. In that capacity, he was appointed by the Belgian government as the scientific coordinator for the codification of the Belgian laws on companies and financial accounts, which culminated in a new Belgian company code in 2001.^[1] In 2009 Geens was a candidate for rector of the KU Leuven but lost out to Mark Waer.

Geens is a co-founder of an independent lawfirm in Belgium with offices in Antwerp, Brussels and Kortrijk.

Political career

From 2007 to 2009 Geens served as chief of staff to the Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters. When Steven Vanackere resigned in March 2013 as Minister of Finance, Geens was appointed as his successor.^[2]

In October 2014 Geens became Minister of Justice in the Michel Government. In addition, he chaired the European People's Party’s Justice Ministers Meeting.^[3]

During his time in office, Geens steered through the legislative process a 2015 law which invalidated passports and identity cards of people authorities believe plan to go and fight for militant Islamist organizations in the Middle East.^[4] In the wake of the 2016 Brussels bombings, both Geens and fellow cabinet member Jan Jambon offered their resignation to Prime Minister Michel over lapses;^[5] both were refused.^[6]^[7]

As part of the government formation, Geens was appointed by King Philippe of Belgium to explore possibilities to form a coalition government in early 2020.

Other activities

International organizations

African Development Bank (AfDB), Ex-Officio Alternate Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)^[8]
Asian Development Bank (ADB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)
European Investment Bank (EIB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)^[9]
Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)
International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ex-Officio Alternate Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)^[10]
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), World Bank Group, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)
World Bank, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2013-2014)

Corporate boards

BNP Paribas Fortis, Non-Executive Member of the Board of Directors (2011-2013) ^[11]^[12]

Non-profit organizations

Academia Europaea, Member (since 2012)
Academy of European Law (ERA), Member of the Governing Board^[13]
KU Leuven, Member of the Board of Trustees^[14]
Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts, Member

References

^ Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
^ Ben Deighton (March 5, 2013), Koen Geens appointed new Belgian finance minister - royal palace Reuters.
^ Council of the EU and Ministerial meetings European People’s Party (EPP).
^ Robert-Jan Bartunek (June 12, 2015), Belgium to revoke passports of suspected Islamist fighters Reuters.
^ Robert-Jan Bartunek (April 18, 2016), Belgian PM backs minister's comment that some Muslims cheered attacks Reuters.
^ Peter Spiegel (March 24, 2016), Two Belgian ministers offer to resign but are refused Financial Times.
^ Laurens Cerulus (March 24, 2016), Belgian ministers offer to quit over terror ‘mistakes’ Politico Europe.
^ Annual Report 2013 African Development Bank (AfDB).
^ Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
^ Members International Monetary Fund (IMF).
^ Koen Geens, new Governor for Belgium European Investment Bank (EIB), press release of March 14, 2013.
^ Member of the Board of Directors of BNP Paribas Fortis appointed Finance Minister BNP Paribas Fortis, press release of March 6, 2013.
^ Governing Board Academy of European Law (ERA).
^ Board of Trustees KU Leuven.

Official website

External links

Media related to Koen Geens at Wikimedia Commons

Political offices
Preceded by Steven Vanackere	Minister of Finance 2013–2014	Succeeded by Johan Van Overtveldt
Preceded by Maggie De Block	Minister of Justice 2014–2020	Succeeded by Vincent Van Quickenborne