Gaston Eyskens
| Gaston Eyskens | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
Eyskens photographed in 1969
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| 35th Prime Minister of Belgium | |
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In office 17 June 1968 – 26 January 1973 |
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| Monarch | Baudouin |
| Preceded by | Paul Vanden Boeynants |
| Succeeded by | Edmond Leburton |
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In office 26 June 1958 – 25 April 1961 |
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| Monarch | Baudouin |
| Preceded by | Achille Van Acker |
| Succeeded by | Théo Lefèvre |
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In office 11 August 1949 – 8 June 1950 |
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| Monarch | Charles (Regent) |
| Preceded by | Paul-Henri Spaak |
| Succeeded by | Jean Duvieusart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1 April 1905 Lier, Belgium |
| Died | 3 January 1988 (aged 82) Leuven, Belgium |
| Political party | Christian Social Party |
| Spouse(s) | Gilberte Depetter |
| Alma mater |
Catholic University of Leuven Columbia University |
Gaston François Marie, Viscount Eyskens (1 April 1905 – 3 January 1988) was a Christian democratic politician and Prime Minister of Belgium. He was also an economist and member of the Belgian Christian Social Party (CVP-PSC).
He served six terms as Prime Minister of Belgium, holding the position from 1949 to 1950, 1958 to 1961 and 1968 to 1973. During his periods in office, Eyskens was confronted with major ideological and linguistic conflicts within Belgium including the Royal Question in 1950, the School War in 1958, the independence of the Belgian Congo in 1960 and the split of the University of Leuven in 1970. He oversaw the first steps towards the federalization of Belgium (constitutional reform of 1970).
Eyskens was born in Lier, the son of Antonius Franciscus Eyskens (1875–1948) and Maria Voeten (1872–1960). In 1931 he married Gilberte Depetter (1902–1981), with whom he had two sons: Erik Eyskens (Leuven 20 July 1935 – Antwerpen 31 August 2008) and Mark Eyskens. His son Mark also became Prime Minister, serving from 6 April 1981 to 17 December 1981.
Gaston Eyskens studied at the Catholic University of Leuven where he gained a master and doctorate degree. In 1927 he became Master of Science at Columbia University. In 1931 Eyskens became a professor at the University of Leuven. He later became dean of the economics faculty. He also served on the board of the University of Lovanium in the Congo.
Eyskens was made doctor honoris causa by Columbia University, the University of Cologne and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
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