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Leo Tindemans, Former Belgian Prime Minister and Voice for European Unity, Dies at 92 Leo Tindemans, 92, Dies; Belgian Prime Minister and Voice for European Unity
(about 13 hours later)
PARIS — Leo Tindemans, a former prime minister of Belgium who pushed for greater European integration and helped set the stage for the launch of the European Union’s single currency, the euro, died on Dec. 26 in Edegem in the Flemish province of Antwerp. He was 92.PARIS — Leo Tindemans, a former prime minister of Belgium who pushed for greater European integration and helped set the stage for the launch of the European Union’s single currency, the euro, died on Dec. 26 in Edegem in the Flemish province of Antwerp. He was 92.
His death was announced by the European People’s Party, which he helped found. His death was confirmed by the European People’s Party, which he helped found.
Mr. Tindemans, a Christian Democrat, was the prime minister of Belgium from 1974-78, and later its foreign minister.Mr. Tindemans, a Christian Democrat, was the prime minister of Belgium from 1974-78, and later its foreign minister.
In Belgium, divided among Flemish-speaking Flanders in the north, French-speaking Wallonia in the south and a German-speaking minority in the east, Mr. Tindemans is credited with helping to shape the decentralized federal state that has helped to hold his country together.In Belgium, divided among Flemish-speaking Flanders in the north, French-speaking Wallonia in the south and a German-speaking minority in the east, Mr. Tindemans is credited with helping to shape the decentralized federal state that has helped to hold his country together.
But it was on the European stage that he earned his reputation as an elder statesman and pioneer of what is known today as the European Union. Known as Mr. Europe, Mr. Tindemans was an ardent exponent of more closely uniting the political and economic policies of the European Union, the world’s biggest trading bloc.But it was on the European stage that he earned his reputation as an elder statesman and pioneer of what is known today as the European Union. Known as Mr. Europe, Mr. Tindemans was an ardent exponent of more closely uniting the political and economic policies of the European Union, the world’s biggest trading bloc.
In 1975, he wrote an influential report in which he called for a “people’s Europe” and advocated European economic and monetary integration, a goal that culminated in the launch of the euro. He also called for greater coordination of Europe’s foreign and defense policies.In 1975, he wrote an influential report in which he called for a “people’s Europe” and advocated European economic and monetary integration, a goal that culminated in the launch of the euro. He also called for greater coordination of Europe’s foreign and defense policies.
His vision was embraced by those who sought a more federal Europe, and much of it came to pass. But skeptics in Britain and elsewhere in Europe have criticized his approach, calling it a perilous encroachment on countries’ national sovereignty.His vision was embraced by those who sought a more federal Europe, and much of it came to pass. But skeptics in Britain and elsewhere in Europe have criticized his approach, calling it a perilous encroachment on countries’ national sovereignty.
Leonard Clemence Tindemans was born on April 16, 1922, in Zwijndrecht, a Flemish community near Antwerp, the son of a mechanic and a housewife. He witnessed the devastation of his country during World War II.Leonard Clemence Tindemans was born on April 16, 1922, in Zwijndrecht, a Flemish community near Antwerp, the son of a mechanic and a housewife. He witnessed the devastation of his country during World War II.
Guy Korthoudt, a senior member of the European People’s Party and his former campaign manager, said Mr. Tindemans was among a generation of European politicians who saw European unity as the best means to overcome the virulent nationalism of the past. “He believed deeply in uniting Europe, inspired by a sense of reconciliation and compromise,” Mr. Korthoudt said.Guy Korthoudt, a senior member of the European People’s Party and his former campaign manager, said Mr. Tindemans was among a generation of European politicians who saw European unity as the best means to overcome the virulent nationalism of the past. “He believed deeply in uniting Europe, inspired by a sense of reconciliation and compromise,” Mr. Korthoudt said.
Mr. Tindemans was elected in 1979 to the European Parliament, the European Union’s only democratically elected body, receiving 983,000 votes, the most for any elected official in Belgian history, or about one out of every three eligible voters, Mr. Korthoudt said.Mr. Tindemans was elected in 1979 to the European Parliament, the European Union’s only democratically elected body, receiving 983,000 votes, the most for any elected official in Belgian history, or about one out of every three eligible voters, Mr. Korthoudt said.
Mr. Tindemans served two years before returning to the Belgian government as the foreign minister. He was elected to the European Parliament again in 1989, and until 1999 remained a potent voice in the assembly as the group leader of his party.Mr. Tindemans served two years before returning to the Belgian government as the foreign minister. He was elected to the European Parliament again in 1989, and until 1999 remained a potent voice in the assembly as the group leader of his party.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa Naesens; four children, Thomas, Pia, Nora and Bruno; and 12 grandchildren, according European news reports. In 1995, Mr. Tindemans helped the financier and philanthropist George Soros and others set up the International Crisis Group, a private organization, now based in Brussels, that monitors troublespots around the world. At his death he was a senior adviser to the group and a former board member.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa Naesens; four children, Thomas, Pia, Nora and Bruno; and 12 grandchildren, according to European news reports.
Manfred Weber, the current chairman of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, and Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, both called Mr. Tindemans a “visionary” statesman who played a major role in shaping present-day Europe.Manfred Weber, the current chairman of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, and Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, both called Mr. Tindemans a “visionary” statesman who played a major role in shaping present-day Europe.