Karel Antonius Lucia Maria van Miert (; 17 January 1942 – 22 June 2009) was a

Flemish Flemish (''Vlaams'') is a Low Franconian dialect cluster of the Dutch language. It is sometimes referred to as Flemish Dutch (), Belgian Dutch ( ), or Southern Dutch (). Flemish is native to Flanders, a historical region in northern Belgium ...

politician of the Different Socialist Party and official of the

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...

Biography

He was born in

Oud-Turnhout Oud-Turnhout () is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Oud-Turnhout proper. In 2021, Oud-Turnhout had a total population of 14,201. The total area is 38.80 km². There are ...

. He studied at

Ghent University Ghent University ( nl, Universiteit Gent, abbreviated as UGent) is a public research university located in Ghent, Belgium. Established before the state of Belgium itself, the university was founded by the Dutch King William I in 1817, whe ...

(1962–1966) and gained a degree in diplomatic sciences. In 1976 he became adjunct-national secretary of the – at that time – unitary Belgian socialist party. Two years later he became president of the Different Socialist Party. In 1989 he was appointed

European commissioner A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each member within the Commission holds a specific portfolio. The commission is led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent ...

responsible for transport, credit and investment and consumer policy. In 1992 he was also put in charge of environmental policy. On 26 May 1992 he was appointed

Minister of State Minister of State is a title borne by politicians in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a Minister of State is a Junior Minister of government, who is assigned to assist a specific Cabinet Minister. In ...

. From 1993 till 1999 he served as vice-chairman of the European commission and was responsible for competition policy. In this period Van Miert was according to

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...

"one of the most powerful men in Europe." In 2001, he was awarded the

Vlerick Award Vlerick is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * André Vlerick (1919–1990), Belgian politician, businessman and academic * Philippe Vlerick (born 1955), Belgian businessman, nephew of André See also *Vlerick Leuven Gent Managem ...

. He also worked with

Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in approximately 125 countries. The company was founded in 1876 by, and named after, Colon ...

, a global pharmaceutical corporation. After his departure from politics Van Miert was an international advisor to Goldman Sachs. On 22 June 2009, 67-year-old Van Miert died at his home in

Beersel Beersel () is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Alsemberg, Beersel proper, Dworp, Huizingen and Lot. On 1 January 2018 Beersel had a total population of 25,069. The tot ...

, after falling from a garden ladder when he had a cardiac arrest.

Political curriculum

Member of the European Parliament A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament. When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Commu ...

(1979–1985) *Deputy in the Belgian Chamber (1985–1988) *

European Commissioner A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each member within the Commission holds a specific portfolio. The commission is led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent ...

(1989–1999)

Notes

, - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Van Miert,Karel 1942 births 2009 deaths Accidental deaths from falls Accidental deaths in Belgium Belgian European Commissioners Belgian Ministers of State Belgian Socialist Party politicians Belgian socialists European Commissioners for Competition Goldman Sachs people Eli Lilly and Company people Ghent University alumni MEPs for Belgium 1979–1984 MEPs for Belgium 1984–1989 Socialistische Partij Anders MEPs Socialistische Partij Anders politicians