Achille Van Acker
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Achille Honoré Van Acker (April 8, 1898—July 10, 1975) was Prime Minister of Belgium in four different cabinets from 1945 to 1958, for a total period of seven years. He was a member of the BSP-PSB - the then still national Belgian Socialist Party. He was nicknamed Achille Charbon.
[edit] Life
Van Acker was born in Bruges on April 8, 1898 in a family with 12 children. Van Acker only went to school until his 10th year. Van Acker became a member of the city council of Bruges in 1926. The following year the 29 year old Van Acker was elected to the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives. During the Second World War, Van Acker organized the Vlaamse Centrale der Illegale Partij.
After the Second World War, Van Acker became Prime Minister of Belgium in four different cabinets (the first two in 1945-1946 were back to back) and served as Minister of Labour and Social Services, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Mobility and Minister of Mining (which led to his nickname). From 1961 until 1974 he served as President of the Chamber of Representatives. He was named Minister of State in 1958.
The first three cabinets led by Van Acker were short-lived because of the crisis pertaining to Leopold III which held Belgium in its grip from 1944-1951. During his fourth cabinet, Van Acker realized various social themes which led to Van Acker being known as the father of Belgian social security.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Hubert Pierlot |
Prime Minister of Belgium February 12, 1945–March 13, 1946 |
Succeeded by Paul-Henri Spaak |
| Preceded by Paul-Henri Spaak |
Prime Minister of Belgium March 31, 1946–August 3, 1946 |
Succeeded by Camille Huysmans |
| Preceded by Jean Van Houtte |
Prime Minister of Belgium April 23, 1954–June 26, 1958 |
Succeeded by Gaston Eyskens |
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