Melchior H. M. J. F. C. Wathelet (born 6 March 1949) is a Belgian politician and member of the Humanist Democratic Centre who served as 4th Minister-President of Wallonia. He has degrees in law and in economics (University of Liège) and is a Master of Laws (Harvard University). He is also a professor at the Catholic University of Louvain and the Université de Liège. From 1995 to 2003 he was a Judge at the European Court of Justice.[1] Following that, Wathelet served as Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration.[2] In 2012-2018, Wathelet served as Advocate-General at the Court of Justice.[1]
Melchior Wathelet | |
|---|---|
| Minister-President of Wallonia | |
| In office 11 December 1985 – 3 February 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Jean-Maurice Dehousse |
| Succeeded by | Guy Coëme |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 March 1949 Petit-Rechain |
| Political party | Humanist Democratic Centre |
| Alma mater | University of Liège Harvard University |
Political career
edit- Member of the Chamber of Representatives (1977–1995)
- Secretary of State for Regional Economy of the Walloon Region (1980–1981)
- Minister of New Technologies and SMEs of the Walloon Region (1981–1985)
- Minister-President of the Walloon Region (1985–1988)
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Middle Classes (1988–1992)
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Economic Affairs (1992–1995)
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence (1995)
- Mayor of Verviers (1995)[3][failed verification]
Controversy
editAs Justice Minister he had, according to David Canter, "encouraged the early release of many sex offenders" which included Marc Dutroux, a convicted child molester and subsequent serial killer.[4] This particular release resulted in the European Parliament calling for his resignation as an ECJ judge in 1997.[5] The European Parliament does not have the right to appoint ECJ judges, and it was the first time that it attempted to influence their selection.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "CURIA - Melchior WATHELET". curia.europa.eu. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ Wolff, S. (2012). The Mediterranean Dimension of the European Union's Internal Security. Springer. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-230-36942-9.
- ^ "Presentation of the Members". Court of Justice. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ David Canter (2003). Mapping Murder. The Secrets of Geographical Profiling. Virgin Books. ISBN 1-85227-078-0. Page 175.
- ^ Eades, David (6 November 1997). "Belgian judge urged to quit over Dutroux paedophile case". BBC News. London. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ^ "MEP tries to remove Belgian judge from European Court". POLITICO. 10 September 1997. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
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