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53-473: In 2011, Lede had a population of 17,882 and area of 29.69 km, a population density of 575 inhabitants per km. The current mayor of Lede is Geertrui Van de Velde ( CD&V ). The meaning of the name 'Lede' comes from the Dutch word 'Ledenaars' which means 'The Proud Farmers' The municipality comprises the sub-municipalities of Impe, Lede proper, Oordegem, Smetlede, Wanzele, and the hamlet of Papegem . All

106-419: A body composed of 27 heads of state or government (and finding consensus among them) as being "neither a spectator, nor a dictator, but a facilitator Given Van Rompuy’s support for Europe and opposition to far right, not all parties and factions had positive words for him when he took office. British MEP and Eurosceptic Nigel Farage attacked the freshly appointed president by stating that he had "the charisma of

159-636: A candidate in the Belgian regional elections of 2009 . His younger brother, Eric Van Rompuy , is also a politician in the CD&;V and was a minister in the Flemish Government from 1995 to 1999. His sister, Tine Van Rompuy, is a member of the Workers Party of Belgium . He has another sister, Anita Van Rompuy, who is not politically active, married to Arne van der Graesen. Van Rompuy

212-576: A damp rag and the appearance of a low grade bank clerk." The remarks generated controversy and he was fined €3000 (ten days' pay) by the President (Speaker) of the European Parliament for his unparliamentary comments. In a November 2009 press conference, Van Rompuy related to global governance by stating: "2009 is also the first year of global governance with the establishment of the G20 in

265-645: A first package of further measures (notably longer term loans at lower interest rates, private sector debt-writedown, further fiscal consolidation in Greece) and again in October (in conjunction with full European Council meetings) to contain contagion from Greece to other countries (through bank recapitalisation across Europe and by leveraging the firepower of the EFSF to about €1 trillion). His first two years were also marked by his role in co-ordinating European positions on

318-777: A slide presentation handed out by State Secretary for the Budget Melchior Wathelet . Van Rompuy told Parliament earlier today that the deficit would widen to 5.4% of GDP this year. Belgium's deficit will be little changed next year as the shortfall at the level of regional governments and municipalities will widen to 1.5% of GDP from 0.7%, offsetting efforts by the federal government to trim its deficit. Government debt will start exceeding one year's worth of national output as of 2010 , according to European Commission forecasts. Belgium had trimmed debt to as little as 84% of GDP in 2007, before bailouts of Fortis, Dexia SA, KBC Group NV and mutual insurer Ethias Group increased

371-510: Is a Belgian politician who served as prime minister of Belgium from 2008 to 2009, and then as the first permanent president of the European Council from 2009 to 2014. A politician from Belgium's Christian Democratic and Flemish party , Van Rompuy served as the 49th prime minister of Belgium from 30 December 2008 until Yves Leterme (who was also his predecessor) succeeded him on 25 November 2009. On 19 November 2009, Van Rompuy

424-494: Is a Flemish party that follows the principle of Christian democracy . Its core values include the importance of the family , promoting a respectful and warm society, and recognizing the intrinsic value of each individual. The party places a strong emphasis on well-being and health care , as well as the pursuit of an equitable income for all citizens. However, on the ethical front, CD&V holds conservative positions, particularly on issues such as abortion and euthanasia , where

477-589: Is also here. The community is known for its fields, woods, horses and hiking/jogging trails. One such nature area is the 'Vallei van de Serskampse Beek.' Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams Christian Democratic and Flemish ( Dutch : Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams , pronounced [ˌkrɪstə(n)deːmoːˈkraːtis ɛɱ ˈvlaːms] ; CD&V ) is a Flemish Christian-democratic political party in Belgium. The party has historical ties to both trade unionism ( ACV ) and trade associations ( UNIZO ) and

530-545: Is shared by others; he has been described as the painstaking builder of impossible compromises ( l'horloger des compromis impossibles ) A statement made by Van Rompuy at a news conference after his selection illustrates his approach: Every country should emerge victorious from negotiations. A negotiation that ends with a defeated party is never a good negotiation. I will consider everyone's interests and sensitivities. Even if our unity remains our strength, our diversity remains our wealth." He has also described his role of chairing

583-741: The agricultural sector . Results for the Chamber of Representatives , in percentages for the Kingdom of Belgium. From 1971 tot 1999: CVP figures. 2003: CD&V figures. 2007: CD&V/N-VA figures. From 2010 onwards: CD&V figures. CVP/PSC CVP CD&V Until 1968 this lists gives the president of the Flemish part of the unitary CVP/PSC. The party changed its name from CVP to CD&V on 29 September 2001. Herman Van Rompuy Herman Achille, Count Van Rompuy ( Dutch: [ˈɦɛrmɑɱ vɑn ˈrɔmpœy] ; born 31 October 1947)

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636-472: The president of the European Council from 2009 to 2014, is one of the leading politicians of CD&V. CD&V is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) and Centrist Democrat International . The history of the CD&V dates back to the 19th century. It originated in the 19th century Catholic Party . At the end of the century, the new fraction of Christian democrats shifted the focus of

689-916: The EU. The meeting took place on 11 February 2010, in the Solvay Library (Brussels), topics to be discussed were the future direction of the economic policies of the EU, the outcome of the Copenhagen Conference and the then recent earthquake in Haiti . In fact, the meeting was in part taken over by the growing sovereign debt crisis (at that time, Greece), which was to become the hall mark of Van Rompuy's first two years as President. With EU member states holding divergent positions on this issue, he had to find compromises, not least between France and Germany, at subsequent European Council meetings and summits of Eurozone heads of state or government leading to

742-507: The European Council . Afterwards, Yves Leterme led his second government . In June 2009, Flemish elections were held and the CD&V remained the largest party of Flanders. Kris Peeters stayed as Flemish minister-president . The party also remained the largest Flemish party in the European Parliament after the 2009 European elections . In 2010, the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD) decided to step out of

795-728: The European Council and its president is provided by the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union . The president does have, however, his own private office ( cabinet ) of close advisers. Van Rompuy chose as his chief of staff ( chef de cabinet ) Baron Frans van Daele, formerly Belgian ambassador to, variously, the US, the UN, the EU and NATO and chief of staff of several Belgian foreign ministers. Also in his team were

848-561: The European Council by the heads of state or government of the 28 EU member states. President Van Rompuy's second term lasted for two and a half years, from 1 June 2012 to 30 November 2014. After this second mandate he could not have been re-elected because the European Council President's term of office can only be extended once. Van Rompuy was also appointed as the first President of the Euro Summit, and this for

901-663: The Farmer's League. Until 2001, the party was named the Christian People's Party ( Christelijke Volkspartij , CVP ). It was traditionally the largest political party of Flanders, until it was overtaken by the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) in the 2010s. CD&V participated in most governments and has generally the largest number of mayors. Most prime ministers of Belgium and minister-presidents of Flanders have been CD&V politicians. Herman Van Rompuy ,

954-614: The Seven Sorrows ), to which a local legend attributes miraculous powers, such as healing of diseases. The statue attracts many pilgrims . The statue is taken around in a procession during a Sunday in June, after the biannual nine-day festival. The local church, built in 1496, houses the statue. The former Mesen Castle was situated in central Lede. It used to be the residence of the Marquess of Lede until its family line died out in

1007-646: The Treaty required to enable a more permanent financial stability mechanism. His draft – for an addition to Article 136 TFEU, pertaining to the Eurozone – was endorsed by the European Council at its October 2010 meeting. His second year in office, 2011, was also marked by a deterioration of the Greek debt crisis, leading to Van Rompuy calling an extraordinary meeting of the Eurozone heads of state or government in July to adopt

1060-518: The article: "Belgium has also charged nuclear producers a total of 250 million euros for 2008, and the same for 2009, as well as 250 million euros this year payable to a renewable energy fund. These fees remain in dispute. The producers are challenging the 2008 payment in Belgium's constitutional court. A spokesman for Van Rompuy said the government would pass a law to enforce the 500 million euro charge for this year, adding that this could also be contested by GDF Suez." On 19 November 2009, Van Rompuy

1113-479: The early 19th century. It was used as a private girls' school until it closed in the 1970s. It began to fall into ruins by the 1990s. The local authorities began to demolish parts of the castle in 2010, despite protests from the local population to preserve it. But most of the structure was completely torn down by 2015. The former castle gardens still exist as a park. The economy of Lede consists of agriculture and small businesses, including tourism. A psychiatric clinic

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1166-482: The entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey." As President, Van Rompuy has avoided opposing Turkish membership of the EU. On 23 December 2010, he said "Turkish reform efforts have delivered impressive results." He continued "Turkey plays an ever more active role in its neighbourhood. Turkey is also a full-standing member of the G-20, just like five EU countries and the EU itself. In my view, even before an outcome of

1219-600: The establishment of the three-year European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM) and the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) in May 2010, to provide loans to Greece (and later Ireland and Portugal) to help stabilise their borrowing costs, but subject to strict conditions. The European Council also gave him the assignment of chairing a task force on economic governance, composed of personal representatives (mostly ministers of finance) of

1272-626: The federal centre-left coalition, but this time without the Greens. In 2004, Flemish elections were held and the CD&V once more became the largest political party by representation in the Flemish Parliament. Yves Leterme became Flemish minister-president. After successful local elections in 2006, the party became the largest party in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives after the federal elections of 2007 . The CD&V led

1325-521: The federal coalition, consequently ending the government. The federal elections of 2010 resulted in a major loss of historic proportions for CD&V, largely due to votes lost to the Flemish-nationalist New Flemish Alliance . In the campaign, former prime minister Yves Leterme took a subtle step aside as frontrunner of the party. The president of the party, Marianne Thyssen , had pre-electorally stated that she

1378-423: The former (and later) UK Labour MEP Richard Corbett , former Hungarian Ambassador to NATO Zoltan Martinusz, former head of the EU's economic & financial committee Odile Renaud-Basso, Dutch philosopher and journalist Luuk van Middelaar , his main speech writer, and Van Rompuy's long standing press officer Dirk De Backer. In 2013 Frans Van Daele retired both as a diplomat and as chief of Staff of Van Rompuy, and

1431-476: The foundations of a sustainable recovery" Van Rompuy said in a speech to parliament in Brussels. "Most important is to keep the direction. That will also provide stability and support." On 13 October, Bloomberg reported the following about Van Rompuy's Government Debt Policy: "Belgium will trim its budget deficit to 5.3% of gross domestic product in 2011 from almost 5.7% both this year and next, according to

1484-463: The heads of government, which reported ahead of schedule to the October 2010 European Council. Its report, which proposed stronger macro-economic co-ordination within the EU in general and the Eurozone in particular and also a tightening of the Stability and Growth Pact was endorsed by the European Council. The latter also charged him with preparing, by December 2010, a proposal for a limited change to

1537-710: The middle of a financial crisis; the climate conference in Copenhagen is another step towards the global management of our planet." Van Rompuy referred to the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 . On 28 January 2010, Van Rompuy attended the 2010 International Conference on Afghanistan at Lancaster House in London. It was at this event that the framework for the next decade of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

1590-463: The nation's borrowing costs and inflated the debt ratio to 89.6% at the end of last year." On 22 October 2009, Reuters reported that the Van Rompuy government had signed a commitment with GDF Suez for nuclear power fees to Belgium. The outstanding dispute with GDF concerns the €250 million fee that Belgium is attempting to charge GDF for 2009 as part of its "Renewable Energy Fund" as stated in

1643-454: The national chairman of the CVP (1988–1993). Van Rompuy was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget from September 1993 to July 1999, in the two governments led by Jean-Luc Dehaene . As budget minister, together with finance minister Philippe Maystadt , he helped drive down Belgium's debt from a peak of 135% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1993. It fell to below 100% of GDP in 2003. He

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1696-538: The negotiations, the European Union should develop a close partnership with the Turkish Republic." After eight years in opposition, CD&V (formerly known as CVP) returned to government. On 12 July 2007, Van Rompuy was elected as the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives , succeeding Herman De Croo . On 28 December 2008, following the 2007–2008 Belgian political crisis , Van Rompuy

1749-408: The party is reluctant to fast-track relaxations. Combining these conservative ethics with progressive socioeconomic policies, CD&V is often considered a "centre party". In its administrative activities, CD&V nurtures close ties with civil society, including trade unions , professional federations and various associations. In doing so, the party strives to represent the voice of rural areas and

1802-629: The party slightly to the left. In the interwar years the party was renamed Catholic Bloc . Then, the Christian Social Party (PSC-CVP) existed from 1945 until 1968. In 1968, the PSC-CVP was split into the French-speaking Christian Social Party (PSC, now Les Engagés ) and Flemish Christian People's Party (Christelijke Volkspartij CVP). In 2001 the CVP changed its name to the CD&V. The party

1855-559: The same term of office as his Presidency of the European Council. The Euro Summit meetings are to take place at least twice a year. In 2014, Van Rompuy was awarded the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen for his EU role. Although the European Council is, under the terms of the Lisbon treaty, a separate institution of the EU, it does not have its own administration. The administrative support for both

1908-524: The sub-municipalities and also the hamlet are crossed by the Molenbeek . The Lede Formation ( Dutch : Formatie van Lede ; abbreviation: Ld) is a geologic formation in the subsurface of Belgium . The formation is named after Lede. It consists of shallow-marine limestone and sandstone , deposited in the former sea that covered Belgium during the Eocene . The bluestone (for roads) and in particular

1961-412: The subsequent coalition talks, which repeatedly stalled (see 2007–2008 Belgian government formation ). On the 20 March 2008, a new federal government was finally assembled, led by Yves Leterme. Kris Peeters subsequently became the next minister-president of Flanders. From 30 December 2008 till 25 November 2009, Herman Van Rompuy led his first cabinet before becoming the first permanent president of

2014-434: The world stage at G8 and G20 summits and bilateral summits, such as the tense 5 October 2010, EU-China summit. He called a special European Council at short notice in early 2011, on the emerging Libya crisis, which, in agreeing conditions for military intervention, made it impossible for Germany to oppose such intervention once the conditions were fulfilled. On 1 March 2012, Van Rompuy was re-elected unanimously as President of

2067-532: The yellow-brown calcareous sandstone extracted from quarries in Lede and neighbouring areas, were widely used during the 15th to 18th century as construction material for religious and civil buildings. Lede has its origins going back to the Middle Ages, controlled by various Lordships, especially the 'de Bette' family, ( Marquess of Lede ). The local church, 'Sint-Martinuskerk', was built in 14th Century. A Castle

2120-537: Was President, Van Rompuy expressed reticence about possible Turkish membership of the EU. In 2004, he stated "An enlargement [of the EU] with Turkey is not in any way comparable with previous enlargement waves. Turkey is not Europe and will never be Europe." He continued "But it's a matter of fact that the universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also the fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with

2173-522: Was a candidate to become prime minister. On 6 December 2011, the Di Rupo Government was formed, with the CD&V as the largest Flemish party. During the local elections in 2012 , CD&V managed to remain the largest Flemish party on the local level. It remained in the coalition of all five Flemish provinces and in three quarters of the municipalities. Almost half of these municipalities were subsequently led by CD&V mayors. CD&V

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2226-566: Was almost continually in power from its establishment until 1999, with the exception of 1954–1958. In 1999, the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD) became the largest party in Belgium, and formed a majority purple government of liberals, social democrats and greens. The same happened in the Flemish Government, but with the addition of Flemish nationalists. In 2003 CD&V again lost the federal elections which continued

2279-590: Was also a lecturer at the Vlaamse Economische Hogeschool Brussel (VLEKHO later Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel ; now University of Leuven Brussels campus). Van Rompuy is married to Geertrui Windels, with whom he has four children: Peter (born 1980), Laura (born 1981), Elke (born 1983), and Thomas (born 1986). His eldest son, Peter, is active in the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V) party and stood as

2332-797: Was an avid rock and roll fan, especially of US singer Elvis Presley . Later, he studied at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy (1968), and a master's degree in Applied Economics (1971). He worked at the Belgian Central Bank from 1972 to 1975. From 1980 to 1987, he was a Lecturer at the Handelshogeschool Antwerpen (now Lessius University College ); from 1982, he

2385-464: Was appointed chief of staff to king Philippe . He was succeeded as chief of staff of Herman Van Rompuy by Didier Seeuws. When the EPP membership of Hungarian party Fidesz was suspended in 2019, EPP president Joseph Daul appointed van Rompuy – alongside Hans-Gert Pöttering and Wolfgang Schüssel – to a group of high-level experts who were mandated to monitor Fidesz's compliance with EPP values. He

2438-453: Was asked by King Albert II to form a new government after he was reluctant to take up the role of Prime Minister. He was sworn in as Belgian prime minister on 30 December 2008. On 13 October 2009, Bloomberg reported that the government of Herman Van Rompuy would seek to tax banks and nuclear power to tame the deficit. "We are in the early stages of a recovery and at this time it is important not to weaken burgeoning confidence and to lay

2491-545: Was built here in the mid-1700s. The Brussels-Ghent railway line was constructed through Lede in 1856. But industrial development remained limited: a few rural breweries, weaving mills, clothing and shoe companies were founded by local families, but all disappeared by the late 20th Century. Lede is known for a statue of the Virgin Mary , inside the Martin's Church, called " Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Zeven-Smarten " ( Our Lady of

2544-529: Was chosen unanimously by the European Council, at an informal meeting in Brussels, to be the first full-time President of the European Council ; for the period of 1 December 2009 (the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon ) until 31 May 2012. He took up his position officially on 1 January 2010. Gordon Brown also praised Van Rompuy as "a consensus-builder" who had "brought a period of political stability to his country after months of uncertainty". This opinion

2597-399: Was elected to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives in the 1995 general election , but as he remained a minister, he was barred from taking the seat while holding that office. After his party's defeat in the 1999 Belgian general election , he became a member of the Chamber of Representatives . He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007 . In 2004, he was designated Minister of State . Before he

2650-707: Was re-elected for a second (and last) term, to last from 1 June 2012 until 30 November 2014. He was appointed chairman of the board of the College of Europe in 2019. Born in Etterbeek , Brussels , to Dr. Victor Lodewijk Maurits "Vic" van Rompuy ( Begijnendijk , 27 February 1923 – Begijnendijk, 14 November 2004), later Professor of Economics , and wife Germaine Geens (Begijnendijk, 1 December 1921 – Begijnendijk, 23 November 2004), he attended Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels (until 1965), where Ancient Greek and Latin were his main subjects. During his early teens, he

2703-597: Was selected by the members of the European Council , which is the institution of the European Union (EU) comprising the heads of state or government of the EU member states , as the first full-time President of that Council under the Treaty of Lisbon . He was appointed for the period 1 December 2009 until 31 May 2012, though he only took up his position officially on 1 January 2010. On 1 March 2012, he

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2756-466: Was settled by the Afghan president Hamid Karzai and his successor Ashraf Ghani and their donors. As seen at right, Gordon Brown , Hillary Clinton , Catherine Ashton and Anders Fogh Rasmussen amongst other Western leaders were in attendance. In or just before the first months of his presidency Van Rompuy visited all EU member states, he also organised an informal meeting of the heads of state of

2809-516: Was the chairman of the national Christian People's Party 's (CVP) youth council (1973–1977). From 1975 to 1980, he worked in the ministerial cabinets of Leo Tindemans and Gaston Geens . In 1978 he was elected a member of the national CVP's bureau (1978–present). He first was elected to the Belgian Senate in 1988, and served until 1995. In 1988 he briefly served as Secretary of State for Finance and Small and Medium Enterprises before becoming

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