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Bernard Clerfayt, the Brussels Minister for Digital Transition and Employment, announced the upcoming third edition of Digital Spring, scheduled for March 24 and 25, 2023, at the RESET building in Brussels. Read more
Bernard Clerfayt addressed the demands of domestic helpers on June 23, 2012, at the Brussels Minister of Labor's offices, promising concrete measures to improve their working conditions. He pledged to establish a working group comprising all relevant authorities to address concerns raised by unions.Read more
Bernard Clerfayt, born on December 30, 1961, in Uccle, stands as a prominent Belgian politician, assuming the mayoral office of Schaerbeek in 2001 while concurrently serving as the vice-president of the Front Démocratique des Francophones (FDF). Bernard Clerfayt has occupied a seat in the federal Belgian Chamber of Representatives since 2007, embracing the Belgian tradition of holding a dual mandate.
Clerfayt graduated from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) with a master’s degree in economics in 1986, paralleled by his tenure as a research assistant at the Centre for Economic Studies (Centrum voor Economische Studien) at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He completed an internship at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., followed by roles in academia as a research and teaching assistant, ultimately earning esteemed chairs in macroeconomics and political economics at UCLouvain, the Faculties of Catholic Universities in Mons and the Faculties of Lille (1984-1997). He spent around a decade in academia, teaching macroeconomics and international economics at numerous Belgian universities, both French and Dutch-speaking.
Clerfayt entered politics in 1985, joining the local section in Schaerbeek before becoming mayor in 2001. He has since maintained a multifaceted political career, serving in various capacities, including Vice-president of the Brussels Regional Council and President of the Committee for Town and Country Planning and Land Policy. He assumed the mantle of Secretary of State for Finance in 2008, spearheading efforts to modernise the Department of Finance, implement green taxation initiatives, and combat tax fraud. Clerfayt’s re-election as mayor of Schaerbeek in 2012 underscores his enduring political influence and commitment to governance.
Bernard Clerfayt biography is illustrated in the table below.
Personal Information of Bernard Clerfayt | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full Name | Bernard Clerfayt | ||
Birthday | December 30, 1961 | ||
Spouse | No Information Available | ||
Number of Children | No Information Available | ||
Position | Mayor of Schaerbeek | ||
Education | Masters Degree in Economics (Université catholique de Louvain)1+52 | ||
Position | Term | Preceded by | Succeeded by |
Mayor of Schaerbeek | 2001 - Present | — | — |
Vice-President of the Front Démocratique des Francophones (FDF) | - | — | — |
Member of the federal Belgian Chamber of Representatives | Since 2007 | — | — |
Secretary of State for Finance | 2008 - 2010 | — | — |
President of the Committee for Town and Country Planning and Land Policy | - | — | — |
Vice-president of the Brussels Regional Council | - | — | — |
Member of the Brussels Parliament | 1989 - 2004 | — | — |
2nd Deputy Mayor of Schaerbeek | 1995 - 2001 | — | — |
Chair of Macroeconomics and Political Economics at UCLouvain, Facultés universitaires catholiques de Mons, and Facultés Universitaires de Lille | 1984 - 1997 | — | — |
Research and teaching assistant at UCLouvain and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven | 1986 - 1989 | — | — |
Bernard Clerfayt’s political party is DéFI. The party supports expanding Brussels’ bilingual position to certain municipalities in the Brussels Periphery (in Flemish Brabant, Flemish Region), where Dutch is the dominant language, but French is the predominant language. DéFI advocates for the rights of French speakers residing in Flemish municipalities to communicate with Dutch-speaking officials in French rather than Dutch. Flemish political parties hold opposing views on both positions. They advocate for the Dutch language to be taught to French-speaking residents of the Flemish Region and contend that the process of francizing Brussels must not expand further into the region. FDF party news about their name amendment happened in January 2010. The party name was amended to Francophone Democratic Federalists (Fédéralistes Démocrates Francophones) while maintaining its original acronym.
The party changed its name to DéFI in November 2015. Clerfayt became Schaerbeek’s mayor in 2000 after the FDF (previously DéFI) won elections. The following constitutes Schaerbeek’s renewal confirmation: fiscal equilibrium, police reform, reorganisation of social assistance policy, and neighbourhood renovations. Bernard Clerfayt was Federal Secretary of State for Finance for nearly four years, starting in 2008. He led financial modernisation, tax fraud prevention, and environmental taxation projects.
Bernard Clerfayt’s Educational Background is marked by earning a master’s degree in economics from the Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) in 1986. He worked concurrently as a research assistant at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven’s Center for Economic Studies (Centrum voor Economic Studies). He then transitioned to the IRES (Economic Analysis Service) at UCLouvain, where he embarked on a career as a teaching assistant and research assistant. His subsequent career included tenure at UCLouvain, Facultés Universitaires Catholiques de Mons, and Facultés Universitaires de Lille as chair in Macroeconomics and Political Economics.
Bernard Clerfayt began his career in politics after dedicating several years to scientific research, teaching, and an internship at the International Monetary Fund research department. Bernard took his initial steps in politics, transitioning to Schaerbeek in 1985, building upon a familial background in public service; his father, Georges Clerfayt, had been elected as a deputy to the Federal Parliament when Bernard was just nine years old. Bernard Clerfayt pursued a scientific career before entering politics, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in economics and teaching Macroeconomics and International Economics for nearly a decade across various Belgian universities, French-speaking and Dutch-speaking. The combination of academic expertise and early political exposure laid the foundation for Clerfayt’s multifaceted career.
Bernard Clerfayt became the Deputy mayor of Schaerbeek in 1985. He cemented his ties to the community by affiliating with the local section in Schaerbeek, marking the inception of his dedicated service to the region. Bernard Clerfayt has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the municipality and displayed astute leadership, leading him to the esteemed position of second Deputy Mayor in Schaerbeek, establishing himself as a critical figure in the development and governance of the municipality.
Bernard Clerfayt’s career development in politics is listed below.
Bernard Clerfayt’s current position in the Belgian government is as Minister of the Brussels-Capital Region. Bernard Clerfayt, Brussels-Capital Region Minister since July 18, 2019, has a diverse portfolio across three key Brussels organisations. His responsibilities include Employment and Professional Training, Digital Transition, Local Authorities, Animal Welfare, regional IT, and administrative simplification. He serves as a Member of the United College of the Common Community Commission (COCOM) and is responsible for coordinating family allowances, civil service matters, finances, budgets, external relations, and minors’ access to cinema theatres with the Minister of Community Affairs. Clerfayt oversees training and professional retraining, relevant educational institutions, and international contacts as a member of the Council of the French Community Commission (COCOF).
The important news about Bernard Clerfayt is listed below.
Bernard Clerfayt’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. The esteemed Belgian politician has seen a significant increase in his net worth in 2022-2023, reflecting his continued success and influence in the political sphere. Clerfayt’s income stems predominantly from his public service and governance role, which he is known for for his dedication and strategic leadership. His noteworthy contributions to the political landscape of <a href=”https://brusselsmorning.be/belgium-news/”>Belgium</a> underscore his stature as a prominent figure in politics.
Bernard Clerfayt’s political ideas revolve around proactive leadership, public safety, and social and economic welfare. Clerfayt adopts a proactive stance in addressing neighbourhood concerns and managing public safety operations, notably in response to the Brussels terror attacks and the subsequent citywide lockdown in November 2015, underscoring his dedication to security as demonstrated during his tenure as Schaerbeek mayor and Brussels minister. His recent ‘Call to Care for Animal Welfare’ event in January 2024 exemplifies his commitment to progressive policies benefiting all residents, including animals. Clerafyt’s legislative initiatives addressing economic migration and labour shortages underscore his proactive approach to fostering economic growth and stability in the Brussels Capital Region. Bernard Clerfayt champions progressive beliefs and initiatives while prioritising safety, welfare, and economic development for his community.