Henri Simonet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henri Simonet (10 May 1931–15 February 1996) was a Belgian politician.

Born in Brussels, Simonet began his political life as a member of the Socialist Party (PS). He served as mayor of Anderlecht between 1966 and 1984, succeeding the long-serving Joseph Bracops. Like Bracops, Simonet dominated the local political scene to such an extent that the ambitious Philippe Moureaux moved to neighbouring Molenbeek-Saint-Jean to pursue a career there. In 1985 Simonet left the Socialists to join the Liberal Reformist Party (PRL) where he espoused increasingly xenophobic positions.

As mayor of Anderlecht, Simonet presided over considerable changes to what had been an largely industrial and working class community, attracting new development in the form of the Erasmus Hospital, a teaching hospital tied to the ULB on whose administrative council Simonet served.

Christian D'Hoogh succeeded Simonet as mayor of Anderlecht.

Simonet served as Vice-Chairman of the European Commission from 1973 to 1977 and as Minister for Regional Economic Development in 1978 and 1979.

His son Jacques Simonet, while also beginning his political career in the Socialist Party, later joined the PRL and has served as mayor of Anderlecht since 2000.

Preceded by Joseph Bracops	Mayor of Anderlecht 1966–1984	Succeeded by Christian D'Hoogh
Preceded by Edmond Leburton	Minister of Economic Affairs 1972–1973	Succeeded by Willy Claes
Preceded by Albert Coppé	European Commissioner from Belgium 1973–1977	Succeeded by Étienne Davignon
Preceded by Renaat Van Elslande	Minister of Foreign Affairs 1977–1980	Succeeded by Charles-Ferdinand Nothomb