Background
HOUTTE, Jean was born on March 17, 1907 in Ghent. Son of Hubert van Houtte.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Jean Van Houtte
Edit Profileemeritus university professor and politician
Education
University of Liège.
Career
Born in Ghent, van Houtte held a doctorate in law and lectured at Ghent University and the University of Liège. He served as chairman of the Belgian Institute of Public Finance and represented the Christian Social Party-Christelijke Volkspartij (Christian People's Party) in the Belgian Senate from 1949 to 1968. Having served as Finance minister in the governments of Jean Duvieusart (1950) and Joseph Pholien (1950–1952), van Houtte replaced Pholien to become the 38th Prime Minister of Belgium in January 1952.
His period in office was marked by disputes over conscription, and in particular the length of service of conscripts, and over the treatment of collaborators, where van Houtte controversially favoured a mild approach.
An economic recession added to his troubles. Van Houtte again served as Finance minister from 1958 to 1961 under Gaston Eyskens.
He was governor of the World Bank, named an honorary Minister of State in 1966, and made a Baron in 1970.
Connections
Married Cdcile de Stella in 1932.
-
Born
-
Died
March 23, 1991 (aged 84) -
Nationality
Belgium -
Political Party
Christian Social Party