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BELGIUM/BELGIE

(Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie/Kingdom of Belgium)

NEW GOVERNMENT SIUNCE OCTOBER 12, 2000
The government is formed by the VLD, PS, PRL-FDF-MCC, SP, Ecolo and Agalev.

Belgium is a member of the European Union.

MINISTERS

Guy Verhofstadt - Prime Minister

Born : in Dendermonde on April 11, 1953

Education : Latin-greek Humanity (Royal Atheneum of Ghent - 1970). Degree in Law (State University of Ghent -1975).

Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

Political experience : City councillor of Ghent (1976). Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of the Budget, Scientific Research and the Plan (1985 - 1988). Senator (May 1995). Vice-President of the Senate (May 1995). President of the VLD (June 7, 1997). Prime Minister since July 12, 1999.

MadameLaurette Onkelinx - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment

Born : in Ougrée on October 2, 1958

Education : Bachelor of Law (ULg - University of Liège 1976-1981)

Party : PS (Socialist Party)

Political experience : Minister for Social Integration, Health and Environment in the national Government (1992-1993). Minister-President in the Government of the 'French Community' entrusted with the Civil Service, Childhood and the Promotion of Health (1993-1995) . Minister-President in the Government of the 'French Community'entrusted with Education, the Audio-visual, Help for Youth and the Promotion of Health (1995-1999). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment in the federal Government since 12th July 1999.

Louis Michel - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Born : in Tirlemont on September 2, 1947

Education : German language teacher (1968). Lecturer at the "Institut Supérieur de Commerce Saint-Louis"

Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party)

Political experience : Alderman of Jodoigne from 1977 to 1983. President of the PRL parliamentary group in the Council of the Walloon region from 1991 to 1992. President of the PRL parliamentary group in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995. Member of Parliament (House of Representatives) from 1978 to 1999. Senator. Member of the parliamentary commissions of Finance, Budget, institutional reforms and the Commission entrusted with the supervision of electoral expenditures. President of the PRL (French speaking Liberal Party) since October 21, 1995 and re-elected on February 24, 1997. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since July 12, 1999.

Johan Vande Lanotte - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Budget, Social Integration and Social Economy

Born : in Poperingeon July 6, 1955

Education : Master's degree of Political and Social Sciences, U.I.A. (1978). Master's degree of Law, V.U.B. (1981). Doctorate of Law, R.U.G. (1986)

Party :

Political experience : Head of Office to the Minister of the Interior (1988-1991).Representative (since 1991). Minister of the Interior and the Civil Service (1994-1995). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Home Department (1995-1998). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Budget, Social Integration and Social Economy (since July 1999)

MadameIsabelle Durant - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Transport

Born : in Brussels on 4th September 1954

Education : Registered nurse. Bachelor of economic and social policy (Fopes) (dissertation at the UCL : "Identité culturelle à Bruxelles, quelle médiation associative?") ("Cultural identity in Brussels, what kind of associative mediation")

Party : ECOLO (Ecologistes Confédérés pour l'Organisation de Luttes Originales/Confederated Ecologists for the Organization of Original Struggles)

Political experience : Member of the ECOLO party since 1989 (local group of Schaerbeek). Attaché of the ECOLO parliamentary group at the Regional Council of Brussels (1992-1994). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Transport since 12th July 1999.

MadameMagda Aelvoet - Minister for Consumer interests, Health and Environment

Born : on April 4th, 1944 in Steenokkerzeel

Education : Bachelor in political and social sciences

Party : Agalev (Anders gaan Leven)

Political experience : Member of the Agalev party office. Senator (1985-1991), deputy (1991-1994). State Minister since 1995. Vice-President of the GREENS' group at the European Parliament Member of the Commission for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy; deputy member of the Commission for Development and Cooperation and of the Commission for the Rights of Women. Minister for Consumer interests, Health and Environment in the federal Government since 12th July 1999).

Antoine Duquesne - Minister for the Home Department

Born : in Ixelles on February 3, 1941

Education : Athénée Royal of Liège: Latin-Mathematics Humanities (with the highest distinction). Greek exam at the central examining board to get a degree in Greek-Latin humanities (certificate of equivalence). Entrance exam at the Faculty of Applied Science (certificate). University of Liège (1960-1965) : Faculty of Law (got a distinction)

Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party)

Political experience : Minister for National Education (1987-1988). Senator (1988-1991). Member of the Commissions on Social Affairs, Education and Science, Chairman of the Commission of Agriculture and the Self-employed. Deputy (1991-1999). Member of the Commissions of Revision of the Constitution and of Justice, Chairman of the Commission of Justice (1996-1998), Chairman of the Commission of Foreign Relations (1999), Quaestor (1995), Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives (1995-1999). Member of the "Conseil régional wallon" (1991-1995). Member of the "Conseil de la Communauté française" (1991-1995). Chairman of the PRL (1990-1992). Mayor of Manhay (since 1995) State Minister since 1998. Ministre for the Home Department since 12th July 1999.

Frank Vandenbroucke - Minister of Social Affairs and Pensions

Born : in Leuven, October 21 1955

Education : Master in Economics, KUL (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) (1978). M.Phil in Economics, Cambridge, UK (1981-1982). D.Phil, Faculty of Social Studies, Oxford University, UK (1996-1999)

Party : SP (Socialistische Partij / Socialist Party)

Political experience : Member of Parliament (1985-1996). Leader of the SP (1989-1994). Leader of the Parliamentary Group of the SP (1995-1996). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-1995). Minister of Social Affairs and Pensions since 12 July 1999.

Luc van Den Bossche - Minister for Civil Service and Modernisation of public administration

Born : in Aalst, September 16, 1947

Education : Doctor in Law, Ghent State University (1970)

Party : SP (Socialistische Partij / Socialist Party)

Political experience : Representative for the Ghent-Eeklo constituency (1981-1995) and (since 1999) Flemish representative for the constituency Ghent-Eeklo (1995-1999). State Secretary for Education (1988). Community Minister for Home Affairs and Civil Service (1988-1992). Minister of Education and Civil Service in the Flemish Government (1992-1995). Deputy Chief Minister of the Flemish Government and Minister of Education and Civil Service in the Flemish Government (1995). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior (1998-1999). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, in charge of Health (1999) . Minister for Civil Service and Modernisation of public administration (since 12 July 1999)

André Flahaut - Minister of Defense

Born : in Walhain on August 18, 1955

Education : Master's degree Politics and Public Administration, U.L.B.

Party : PS (Parti Socialiste / Socialist Party)

Political experience : Chairman of the P.S. federation of Walloon Brabant (1983-1995). Councillor of Walhain (1982-1994). Provincial councillor of Brabant (1987-1991). Representative (1994). Minister for the Civil Service (1995-1999). Minister of Defense (since July 12, 1999)

Jaak Gabriels - Minister of Agriculture and the Self-Employed

Born : in Bree on September 22, 1943

Education : Latin-Greek Humanities, College Asse - 1961. Arts graduate, modern history section, KUL - (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) 1965.

Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

Political experience : Member of the Council of Province for Limburg (1974-1977). Mayor of Bree (since 1977). Deputy (since 1977). Vice-Chairman of the Volksunie (1979-1986). Head of the Volksunie's parliamentary party (1986). Chairman of the Volksunie (1986-1992). Co-founder of the VLD. Minister of Agriculture and the Self-employed (since July 1999)

Marc Verwilghen - Minister of Justice

Born : in Dendermonde on September 21, 1952

Education : Latin-Greek Humanities - Koninklijk Atheneum in Dendermonde. Law candidate VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). Bachelor of Law RUG

Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

Political experience : Deputy (1991-1995 and 1995-1999). Directly elected Senator since June 19th, 1999. Member of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on the "Trade of Human Beings". Chairman of the Chamber Commission of "Justice". Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Dutroux-Nihoul and of the Commission of Inquiry on "Missing and Murdered Children" (1996-1998) Minister of Justice (since 12th July 1999).

Didier Reynders - Minister of Finance

Born : in Liège on August 6, 1958

Education : Latin-Greek Humanities at the Institut Saint Jean Berchmans of Liège. Bachelor of Law at the University of Liège (1981)

Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party)

Political experience : Executive of the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and institutional Reforms (1987-1988). Town councillor in Liège (October 1988). Head of the PRL group in the Council of the City of Liège (1995). Vice-Chairman of the PRL (1992). Deputy at the House of Representatives (1992). Chairman of the PRL-FDF group in the Chamber (1995). Chairman of the Fédération provinciale et d'Arrondissement de Liège of the PRL (since 1995). Minister of Finance since July 12, 1999.

Rik Daems - Minister of Telecommunications, Companies and Public Participation

Born : on August 18, 1959

Education : Latin-Mathematics (Koninklijk Atheneum Keerbergen - 1977). Sales engineer (Solvay Management school - VUB - 1982).Master in Industrial Location & Development (VUB - 1983)

Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

Political experience : Economic and Financial Adviser of the Minister of the Self-employed (1985-1987). Deputy (since 1987). Mayor of Aarschot (1989-1994). Vice-Chairman of the Flemish Liberals & Democrats, the VLD (since 1987). Chairman "VLD-Instituut Voor Kadervorming IVK" (1985-1999). Member of the Finance and Budget Commission of the Chamber (1987-1999). Minister of Telecommunications, Public Companies and Participation since July 12, 1999.

Charles Picqué - Minister of the Economy and Scientific Research entrusted with the Metropolitan Policy

Born : in Etterbeek on November 1, 1948

Education : Economics (bachelor) from the U.C.L., 1973

Party : PS (Parti Socialiste / Socialist Party)

Political experience : Alderman of urbanism at Saint-Gilles (1982-1985). Provincial councillor (1985-1987). Mayor of Saint-Gilles (since 1987). Member of the of Brussels Capital Region (since 1989). Minister for Social Affairs and Health of the French Community (1988-1989). Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region entrusted with Environmental Planning, Local Authorities and Employment (1989-1995). Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region entrusted with Local Authorities, Employment, Housing and Monuments and Landscapes (1995-1999). Government commissioner entrusted with the metropolitan policy delegated to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment. Minister of the Economy and Scientific Research entrusted with the Metropolitan Policy (April 2000).

State Secretaries

MadameAnnemie Neyts - State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Born : on June 17, 1944 in Ixelles

Education : Bachelor of Roman philology and of journalism and communication (VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats)

Political experience : Press agent at the Ministry of Justice (1973-1975). Deputy executive of the Cabinet to the provincial government of Brabant (1975-1981). Member of Parliament (1981-1994).State Secretary to Brussels Region (1981-1985). Communal Councellor in Bruxelles-City (1983-1989). Member of the Executive bureau of European Liberals and Democrats Libéraux since 1983. Chairwoman of the PVV (1985-1989). Vice-presiudent of the VLD (1993).Vice-Presidente of the Liberal International (1996). Member of the Institutionnal Commission and substiute member in the Commission of Culture, Youth, Education and the Media of the European Parliament. Brussels Minister of the Budget, of Finance and Foreign Relations for the Government of the Region of Brusells-Capital (July 1999-October 2000).Deputy State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Federal Government since October 12, 2000.

Eddy Boutmans - Deputy State Secretary for Development Cooperation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Born : in Wilrijk, in 1948

Education : Secondary education (Collège Notre-Dame, Antwerp). Studied law at the State University of Ghent

Party : Agalev (Anders gaan Leven)

Political experience : Agalev Senator and member of Agalev's political bureau (1995-1999). Member of Parliament (1999). State Secretary for Development Cooperation since July 12, 1999.

Olivier Deleuze -Deputy State Secretary for Energy and Sustainable Development to the Minister of Mobility and Transport

Born : in Brussels on December 18, 1954

Education : Agricultural engineer (UCL - Catholic University of Louvain /Leuwen 1977)

Party : ECOLO (Ecologistes Confédérés pour l'Organisation de Luttes Originales/Confederated Ecologists for the Organization of Original Struggles)

Political experience : Founder member of ECOLO in 1980. Federal deputy (1981-1986). Federal deputy and head of the ECOLO-AGALEV group (1995-1999). State Secretary for Energy and Sustainable Development since July 12, 1999.

	Guy Verhofstadt - Prime Minister Born : in Dendermonde on April 11, 1953 Education : Latin-greek Humanity (Royal Atheneum of Ghent - 1970). Degree in Law (State University of Ghent -1975). Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Political experience : City councillor of Ghent (1976). Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of the Budget, Scientific Research and the Plan (1985 - 1988). Senator (May 1995). Vice-President of the Senate (May 1995). President of the VLD (June 7, 1997). Prime Minister since July 12, 1999.
	MadameLaurette Onkelinx - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment Born : in Ougrée on October 2, 1958 Education : Bachelor of Law (ULg - University of Liège 1976-1981) Party : PS (Socialist Party) Political experience : Minister for Social Integration, Health and Environment in the national Government (1992-1993). Minister-President in the Government of the 'French Community' entrusted with the Civil Service, Childhood and the Promotion of Health (1993-1995) . Minister-President in the Government of the 'French Community'entrusted with Education, the Audio-visual, Help for Youth and the Promotion of Health (1995-1999). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment in the federal Government since 12th July 1999.
	Louis Michel - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Born : in Tirlemont on September 2, 1947 Education : German language teacher (1968). Lecturer at the "Institut Supérieur de Commerce Saint-Louis" Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party) Political experience : Alderman of Jodoigne from 1977 to 1983. President of the PRL parliamentary group in the Council of the Walloon region from 1991 to 1992. President of the PRL parliamentary group in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995. Member of Parliament (House of Representatives) from 1978 to 1999. Senator. Member of the parliamentary commissions of Finance, Budget, institutional reforms and the Commission entrusted with the supervision of electoral expenditures. President of the PRL (French speaking Liberal Party) since October 21, 1995 and re-elected on February 24, 1997. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since July 12, 1999.
	Johan Vande Lanotte - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Budget, Social Integration and Social Economy Born : in Poperingeon July 6, 1955 Education : Master's degree of Political and Social Sciences, U.I.A. (1978). Master's degree of Law, V.U.B. (1981). Doctorate of Law, R.U.G. (1986) Party : Political experience : Head of Office to the Minister of the Interior (1988-1991).Representative (since 1991). Minister of the Interior and the Civil Service (1994-1995). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Home Department (1995-1998). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Budget, Social Integration and Social Economy (since July 1999)
	MadameIsabelle Durant - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Transport Born : in Brussels on 4th September 1954 Education : Registered nurse. Bachelor of economic and social policy (Fopes) (dissertation at the UCL : "Identité culturelle à Bruxelles, quelle médiation associative?") ("Cultural identity in Brussels, what kind of associative mediation") Party : ECOLO (Ecologistes Confédérés pour l'Organisation de Luttes Originales/Confederated Ecologists for the Organization of Original Struggles) Political experience : Member of the ECOLO party since 1989 (local group of Schaerbeek). Attaché of the ECOLO parliamentary group at the Regional Council of Brussels (1992-1994). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Transport since 12th July 1999.
	MadameMagda Aelvoet - Minister for Consumer interests, Health and Environment Born : on April 4th, 1944 in Steenokkerzeel Education : Bachelor in political and social sciences Party : Agalev (Anders gaan Leven) Political experience : Member of the Agalev party office. Senator (1985-1991), deputy (1991-1994). State Minister since 1995. Vice-President of the GREENS' group at the European Parliament Member of the Commission for Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy; deputy member of the Commission for Development and Cooperation and of the Commission for the Rights of Women. Minister for Consumer interests, Health and Environment in the federal Government since 12th July 1999).
	Antoine Duquesne - Minister for the Home Department Born : in Ixelles on February 3, 1941 Education : Athénée Royal of Liège: Latin-Mathematics Humanities (with the highest distinction). Greek exam at the central examining board to get a degree in Greek-Latin humanities (certificate of equivalence). Entrance exam at the Faculty of Applied Science (certificate). University of Liège (1960-1965) : Faculty of Law (got a distinction) Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party) Political experience : Minister for National Education (1987-1988). Senator (1988-1991). Member of the Commissions on Social Affairs, Education and Science, Chairman of the Commission of Agriculture and the Self-employed. Deputy (1991-1999). Member of the Commissions of Revision of the Constitution and of Justice, Chairman of the Commission of Justice (1996-1998), Chairman of the Commission of Foreign Relations (1999), Quaestor (1995), Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives (1995-1999). Member of the "Conseil régional wallon" (1991-1995). Member of the "Conseil de la Communauté française" (1991-1995). Chairman of the PRL (1990-1992). Mayor of Manhay (since 1995) State Minister since 1998. Ministre for the Home Department since 12th July 1999.
	Frank Vandenbroucke - Minister of Social Affairs and Pensions Born : in Leuven, October 21 1955 Education : Master in Economics, KUL (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) (1978). M.Phil in Economics, Cambridge, UK (1981-1982). D.Phil, Faculty of Social Studies, Oxford University, UK (1996-1999) Party : SP (Socialistische Partij / Socialist Party) Political experience : Member of Parliament (1985-1996). Leader of the SP (1989-1994). Leader of the Parliamentary Group of the SP (1995-1996). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-1995). Minister of Social Affairs and Pensions since 12 July 1999.
	Luc van Den Bossche - Minister for Civil Service and Modernisation of public administration Born : in Aalst, September 16, 1947 Education : Doctor in Law, Ghent State University (1970) Party : SP (Socialistische Partij / Socialist Party) Political experience : Representative for the Ghent-Eeklo constituency (1981-1995) and (since 1999) Flemish representative for the constituency Ghent-Eeklo (1995-1999). State Secretary for Education (1988). Community Minister for Home Affairs and Civil Service (1988-1992). Minister of Education and Civil Service in the Flemish Government (1992-1995). Deputy Chief Minister of the Flemish Government and Minister of Education and Civil Service in the Flemish Government (1995). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior (1998-1999). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, in charge of Health (1999) . Minister for Civil Service and Modernisation of public administration (since 12 July 1999)
	André Flahaut - Minister of Defense Born : in Walhain on August 18, 1955 Education : Master's degree Politics and Public Administration, U.L.B. Party : PS (Parti Socialiste / Socialist Party) Political experience : Chairman of the P.S. federation of Walloon Brabant (1983-1995). Councillor of Walhain (1982-1994). Provincial councillor of Brabant (1987-1991). Representative (1994). Minister for the Civil Service (1995-1999). Minister of Defense (since July 12, 1999)
	Jaak Gabriels - Minister of Agriculture and the Self-Employed Born : in Bree on September 22, 1943 Education : Latin-Greek Humanities, College Asse - 1961. Arts graduate, modern history section, KUL - (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) 1965. Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Political experience : Member of the Council of Province for Limburg (1974-1977). Mayor of Bree (since 1977). Deputy (since 1977). Vice-Chairman of the Volksunie (1979-1986). Head of the Volksunie's parliamentary party (1986). Chairman of the Volksunie (1986-1992). Co-founder of the VLD. Minister of Agriculture and the Self-employed (since July 1999)
	Marc Verwilghen - Minister of Justice Born : in Dendermonde on September 21, 1952 Education : Latin-Greek Humanities - Koninklijk Atheneum in Dendermonde. Law candidate VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). Bachelor of Law RUG Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Political experience : Deputy (1991-1995 and 1995-1999). Directly elected Senator since June 19th, 1999. Member of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on the "Trade of Human Beings". Chairman of the Chamber Commission of "Justice". Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Dutroux-Nihoul and of the Commission of Inquiry on "Missing and Murdered Children" (1996-1998) Minister of Justice (since 12th July 1999).
	Didier Reynders - Minister of Finance Born : in Liège on August 6, 1958 Education : Latin-Greek Humanities at the Institut Saint Jean Berchmans of Liège. Bachelor of Law at the University of Liège (1981) Party : PRL (Parti Réformateur Libéral / Liberal Reform Party) Political experience : Executive of the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and institutional Reforms (1987-1988). Town councillor in Liège (October 1988). Head of the PRL group in the Council of the City of Liège (1995). Vice-Chairman of the PRL (1992). Deputy at the House of Representatives (1992). Chairman of the PRL-FDF group in the Chamber (1995). Chairman of the Fédération provinciale et d'Arrondissement de Liège of the PRL (since 1995). Minister of Finance since July 12, 1999.
	Rik Daems - Minister of Telecommunications, Companies and Public Participation Born : on August 18, 1959 Education : Latin-Mathematics (Koninklijk Atheneum Keerbergen - 1977). Sales engineer (Solvay Management school - VUB - 1982).Master in Industrial Location & Development (VUB - 1983) Party : VLD (Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten / Flemish Liberals and Democrats) Political experience : Economic and Financial Adviser of the Minister of the Self-employed (1985-1987). Deputy (since 1987). Mayor of Aarschot (1989-1994). Vice-Chairman of the Flemish Liberals & Democrats, the VLD (since 1987). Chairman "VLD-Instituut Voor Kadervorming IVK" (1985-1999). Member of the Finance and Budget Commission of the Chamber (1987-1999). Minister of Telecommunications, Public Companies and Participation since July 12, 1999.
	Charles Picqué - Minister of the Economy and Scientific Research entrusted with the Metropolitan Policy Born : in Etterbeek on November 1, 1948 Education : Economics (bachelor) from the U.C.L., 1973 Party : PS (Parti Socialiste / Socialist Party) Political experience : Alderman of urbanism at Saint-Gilles (1982-1985). Provincial councillor (1985-1987). Mayor of Saint-Gilles (since 1987). Member of the of Brussels Capital Region (since 1989). Minister for Social Affairs and Health of the French Community (1988-1989). Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region entrusted with Environmental Planning, Local Authorities and Employment (1989-1995). Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region entrusted with Local Authorities, Employment, Housing and Monuments and Landscapes (1995-1999). Government commissioner entrusted with the metropolitan policy delegated to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment. Minister of the Economy and Scientific Research entrusted with the Metropolitan Policy (April 2000).