Koen Geens

Koen Geens (born 22 January 1958 in Merksem) is a Belgian Flemish legal scholar 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.

Koen Geens
Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium
In office
2 July 2019 – 1 October 2020
Prime MinisterCharles Michel
Sophie Wilmès
Preceded byKris Peeters
Minister of Justice
In office
11 October 2014 – 1 October 2020
Prime MinisterCharles Michel
Sophie Wilmès
Preceded byAnnemie Turtelboom
Succeeded byVincent Van Quickenborne
Minister of Finance
In office
5 March 2013 – 11 October 2014
Prime MinisterElio Di Rupo
Preceded bySteven Vanackere
Succeeded byJohan Van Overtveldt
Personal details
Born (1958-01-22) 22 January 1958
Merksem, Belgium
Political partyChristian Democratic and Flemish
Alma materUniversity of Antwerp
Catholic University of Leuven
Harvard University

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 Eubelius, 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

Corporate boards

Non-profit organizations

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