Frans Edward Elisabeth Grootjans (24 January 1922 – 20 February 1999), was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

politician and minister for the PVV. Grootjans was born at

Wilrijk Wilrijk (; former, original spelling: ''Wilrijck'') is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Belgian province of Antwerp. Wilrijk had been a separate municipality before January 1, 1983; the enlarged municipality of Antwerp was ...

. He became a licentiate in the trade and consular sciences and was chief editor and director of the newspaper '' De Nieuwe Gazet''. He was a Municipal Council member (1971–1986) in

Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,

and a member of parliament (1954–1987) for the district Antwerp for the PVV. Grootjans was President of the PVV (1973–1977 and 1981–1982). He was minister of national education (1966–1968) and of finances and medium-sized business (1985). He was also President of the

Flemish Council The Flemish Parliament (Dutch language, Dutch: , formerly called Flemish Council or ''Vlaamse Raad'') constitutes the legislature, legislative power in Flanders for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic reg ...

(1985–1987). He remained in Antwerp for the rest of his life.

Honours

* Grand officer in the Order of Leopold. * Knight grand Cross in the

Order of Leopold II The Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honor of King Leopold II. The decoration was established on 24 August 1900 by Leopold II as Sovereign of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgi ...

References

Sources

Presidents of the Belgian liberal party
*''Terugblik in zorg en hoop. Frans Grootjans aan het woord'', publication of the

Willemsfonds The Willemsfonds, named after Jan Frans Willems, is a non-profit cultural organisation founded in the 19th century to promote Flemish culture and language in Belgium. In order to achieve this goal, the organisation encouraged Flemish folk song, or ...

and the

Liberaal Vlaams Verbond The Liberaal Vlaams Verbond (E: Liberal Flemish League) was founded in 1913. From its origin it wanted to promote the Flemish cause and drew attention to social matters, within the Belgian Liberal Party. Together with the Willemsfonds and the Lib ...

with the support of the ''Liberaal Archief'', 1990. 1922 births 1999 deaths Belgian Ministers of State People from Wilrijk Ministers of Education of Belgium Recipients of the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II Finance ministers of Belgium {{Flanders-politician-stub