Verhofstadt I Government


The Verhofstadt I Government was the federal government of Belgium from 12 July 1999 to 12 July 2003.
It was the first government headed by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. It consisted of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats, the French-speaking Liberal Reformist Party, the Flemish Socialist Party, the French-speaking Socialist Party, the Flemish green party Agalev and the French-speaking green party Ecolo. Because it comprised liberals, socialists and greens it was also known as a "purple-green" coalition.
It was the first liberal-led coalition in Belgium since 1938, as well as the first since 1958 that did not include a Christian Democratic party. It was also the only coalition in Belgian history to have included green parties.

Composition

MinisterNameParty-
Prime MinisterGuy VerhofstadtVLD
Deputy Prime Minister - EmploymentLaurette OnkelinxPS
Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign AffairsLouis MichelPRL
Deputy Prime Minister - Budget, Social Integration and Social EconomyJohan Vande LanotteSP
Deputy Prime Minister - Mobility and TransportIsabelle DurantEcolo
Deputy Prime Minister - Consumer Affairs, Public Health and EnvironmentMagda AelvoetAgalev
InteriorAntoine DuquesnePRL
Social Affairs and PensionsFrank VandenbrouckeSP
Civil Service and Modernisation of the Public AuthoritiesLuc Van den BosscheSP
DefenceAndré FlahautPS
Agriculture and Middle ClassesJaak GabriëlsVLD
JusticeMarc VerwilghenVLD
FinanceDidier ReyndersPRL
Telecommunications and Public Enterprises and ParticipationsRik DaemsVLD
Economy and Scientific ResearchRudy DemottePS
Secretary of StateNameParty-
Foreign TradePierre ChevalierVLD
Development CooperationEddy BoutmansAgalev
Energy and Sustainable DevelopmentOlivier DeleuzeEcolo

The Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and the Secretary of State for Development Cooperation were attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary of State for Energy and Sustainable Development was attached to the Minister of Mobility and Transport.

Reshuffles

Some of the notable actions under this government include: