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Mark Eyskens
Mark Eyskens 1986.jpg
Eyskens in 1986
Prime Minister of Belgium
In office
6 April 1981 – 17 December 1981
Monarch Baudouin
Deputy Guy Mathot
Willy Claes
José Desmarets
Preceded by Wilfried Martens
Succeeded by Wilfried Martens
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
1989–1992
Prime Minister Wilfried Martens
Preceded by Leo Tindemans
Succeeded by Willy Claes
Minister of Finance
In office
1985–1988
Prime Minister Wilfried Martens
Preceded by Frans Grootjans
Succeeded by Philippe Maystadt
In office
1980–1981
Prime Minister Wilfried Martens
Preceded by Paul Hatry
Succeeded by Robert Vandeputte
Minister of Economic Affairs
In office
1981–1985
Prime Minister Wilfried Martens
Preceded by Willy Claes
Succeeded by Philippe Maystadt
Personal details
Born (1933-04-29) 29 April 1933 (age 91)
Leuven, Belgium
Political party Christian Democratic and Flemish
Spouse Anne Rutsaert
Alma mater Catholic University of Leuven
Columbia University

Marc Maria Frans, Viscount Eyskens (born 29 April 1933), known as Mark Eyskens, is a Belgian economist, professor and politician in the Christian People's Party, now called Christian Democratic and Flemish, and briefly served as the prime minister of Belgium in 1981.

Early life

Eyskens was born in Leuven, the son of Gaston Eyskens, and lived for a time at the International House of New York. When Germany invaded Belgium, Eyskens and his mother fled to France but upon the Belgian capitulation, the family returned to Leuven.

Academic career

In 1953, Eyskens attained a bachelor's degree in philosophy. In 1956, he became a doctor juris at the University of Leuven. In 1957, he obtained a master of arts in economics at Columbia University. In 1962, he received a doctorate in economic sciences. In 1962, he became a professor at the University of Leuven (1962–1998). From 1971 to 1976, he was chairman of the university. He was a member of the Club of Rome (1972–1978). In 2004, he was chairman of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts.

Political career

In 1962, Eyskens started his political career as a counsellor in the cabinet of the Minister of Finance André Dequae.

In 1976, Eyskens became Secretary of State for Town and Country Planning and Housing (1976–1977, Tindemans I). Eyskens was first elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in 1977. He was re-elected (elections of 1977, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1978, 1995, 1999) and served until 2003.

He became Secretary of State for the budget and Flemish affairs (1977–1979, Tindemans II & Vanden Boeynants II), Minister of Development Aid (1979–1980, Martens I, Martens II & Martens III) and Minister of Finance (1980–1981, Martens IV). Eyskens became the 45th Prime Minister of Belgium on 6 April 1981, an office his father had held six times. His government quickly collapsed on 17 December, due to disagreements on the financing of the Walloon steel industry. After the fall of his government he served as Minister for Economical Affairs (1981–1985, Martens V) and Minister of Finance (1985–1988, Martens VI & Martens VII). Although originally not a member of the Martens VIII cabinet, on 19 June 1989 he re-entered the government when he replaced Leo Tindemans as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1989–1992, Martens VIII & Martens IX). This was the last government office he held. He served as a backbencher 1992–2003 and retired at the 2003 general election.

Later career

On 18 November 1998, Eyskens was made a Minister of State. In the 2006 provincial elections Eyskens was elected to the provincial council of Flemish Brabant. He served from 2007 until his resignation in 2009.

Eyskens is a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Panel Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of the Itinera Institute think-tank and as Honorary President of the Olivaint Conference of Belgium.

See also

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