Elio Di Rupo

Elio Di Rupo is a Belgian Politician , Minister of state, born with Morlanwelz in 1951. He is president of the socialist party Belgian French-speaking person (PS) since 1999 (he succeeded Philippe Busquin). He is burgomaster of Mons since October 2000. He is doctor of sciences of the Université of Mons-Hainaut.

He creates the International festival of film of love (or FIFA) the February 13rd 1983.

The vestimentary practices of Elio Di Rupo were worth to him the nickname of “Man to the Bow tie”.

Political course

In 1982, it is elected to advise communal of Mons and becomes in 1986 alderman of Health, the Urban renovation and the social Affairs of the commune. Of 1987 with 1989, it is appointed of the district of Mons-Coal-mining (in particular during the 47e legislature of the Room of the Representatives of Belgium) and is elected senator in 1991.

Of 1992 with 1994, it is minister with the French Communauté, where the minister of education is allotted to him. Between 1993 and 1994, it will also take again competences of Minister for Audivisuel. In 1994, Elio Di Rupo is member of the federal government: it is Deputy Prime Minister and occupies the post of minister of the Communications and the State enterprises. Always Deputy Prime Minister, he becomes then Minister for the Economy and Telecommunications. Following a rehandling of the government, it receives in more the foreign trade in its competences of 1998 to 1999, accompanying in particular the crown prince Philippe in his economic missions abroad.

In 1996, following the racing of the Business Dutroux, it is shown by a homosexual young person , Olivier Trusgnach, to have deceived it sexually whereas he was minor. This business failed to cost him its political career, but a judgment bleaches it completely. At that time, he spoke openly about his homosexuality.

In 1999, it is elected president of the Socialist party, function where it will be renewed in 2003 and 2007, and becomes vice-president of the Internationale Socialist. It leaves the federal government and is, for the first time, Minister-president of the Walloon region between 1999 and 2000. It launches the Contract with A future of Wallonia, before leaving its place to Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe.

In October 2000, following its victory with the communal elections (the PS obtains 61,35% of the voices and thirty seats on forty-five), it becomes burgomaster of Mons. In 2002, it receives the honorary title of minister of state of the king Albert and takes part in the Convention on the future of Europe.

After the legislative elections of 2003, the king names Elio Di Rupo adviser. After one week of consultations, he preaches an alliance between the liberals and the Socialists for the future federal government.

In 2005, it becomes again Minister-president of the Walloon region, following the resignation of Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe. It thus cumulates the president's function of the PS and “First” Walloon. There remains the burgomaster in title of Mons, but, considered as prevented burgomaster, he is replaced by a burgomaster making function, Jean-Claude Carpentier until his death, then by the first alderman Richard Biefnot. In June 2006, according to the Last hour , it creates a foundation for orphans which will profit from the Attendance fees that it touches as an administrator of the bank Dexia.

At the time of the communal elections of October 8th, 2006, the list PS which it takes along to Mons loses nearly 10% and three seats, but preserves the absolute majority in voice and seats. He even loses a third of its voices preferably. Preserving its functions of Minister-president of the Walloon government and president of the Socialist party, Elio Di Rupo remains prevented burgomaster of the city and Catherine Houdart becomes the burgomaster making function of the commune.

June 11th, 2007, following the socialist retreat at the time of the legislative elections of the day before, it has announced the setting under supervision of the communal socialist Union of Charleroi and of the socialist Federation of Charleroi, in crisis for several months. He in addition asks the resignation of the burgomaster and all the socialist aldermen of Charleroi. The 12, the whole of the college of the burgomaster and aldermen of Charleroi resigns (including the alderman cdH Jean-Jacques Viseur), in accordance with the wish of Elio Di Rupo. The 12 always, the majority PS-cdH with the Walloon region changes into urgency, with the support of the opposition, a provision of the Courard decree governing the communal electoral law to untie the situation in Charleroi: the obligation of membership of the burgomaster to the list which made the most voice is supprimée.

The June 13rd, the former president of the PS Guy Spitaels reacts to the socialist defeat at the polls and request with Elio Di Rupo more not to cumulate the various mandates which it occupies and to choose between his mandates of burgomaster of Mons, chair party and Minister-president of the Walloon region. The 14, Elio Di Rupo decide anticipation of the election to the presidency of the PS, which will take place in July rather than in October. He announces that it will be candidate and that it will give up the load of Minister-president if he is re-elected. July 11th, 2007, vis-a-vis old the Appointed permanent hennuyer Jean-Pierre De Clercq, he is re-elected by 89,5% of the votes cast by the socialist militants. July 19th, it gives up the post of Minister-president to the profit of Rudy Demotte and becomes again burgomaster with whole share of Mons the 23.

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