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Bart Somers

Bart Somers
Bart Somers.jpg
Mayor of Mechelen
Assumed office
2001
Preceded by Geert Bervoets
Leader of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats
In office
2004–2009
Preceded by Dirk Sterckx
Succeeded by Guy Verhofstadt
Minister-President of Flanders
In office
11 June 2003 – 20 July 2004
Preceded by Renaat Landuyt (Acting)
Succeeded by Yves Leterme
Personal details
Born (1964-05-12) 12 May 1964 (age 52)
Mechelen, Belgium
Political party Open Vld
Spouse(s) Miet Bourlon
Children 2
Alma mater Catholic University of Leuven
Website Official website

Bartolomeus Jozef Lodewijk Rosalia "Bart" Somers (born 12 May 1964 in Mechelen) is a Belgian, Flemish politician. He is currently the mayor of Mechelen. He obtained a law degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Between 2003 and 2004 he was the Minister-President of Flanders.

After the regional elections of June 2004 he was appointed the interim chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD). On December 4, 2004, he was elected with just over 50 percent to a full term as chairman.

Bart Somers was one of the three negotiators for the Open VLD during the 2007 Belgian government formation.

After his party's defeat in the regional elections of 2009, he resigned as chairman of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats.

He is married to Miet Bourlon and he has 2 children, a girl Lieze and a boy Jan Klaas.


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