Dehaene, Jean-Luc

Belgian politician, prime minister 1992–99. In 1993 he successfully negotiated constitutional changes to make Belgium a federal state. His centre-left coalition was re-elected in 1995.

Born in Montpellier, France, where his parents were fleeing German troops, and educated at the University of Namur, he entered politics by joining the trade-union wing of the Flemish Christian Socialists (CVP). He was a government adviser 1972–81, establishing a reputation as a skilful mediator. In 1981–88 he was minister for social affairs and institutional reform. In 1988 he negotiated the formation of a five-party coalition, led by Wilfried Martens, and became his deputy. When the coalition collapsed in 1992 he constructed another three-party government based around the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats, and which he led.

In 1994 was proposed by Germany and France as the successor to European Commission president Jacques Delors. Seeing Dehaene as a ‘federalist’, UK prime minister John Major vetoed his appointment, in contrast to the other 11 European Union heads of government, and Jacques Santer of Luxembourg became the new EC president.

Dehaene's coalition lost the 1999 election amidst controversy surrounding the country's food industry. Dehaene remaned a senator until 2001 and in 2004 was elected to the European Parliament.