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Former Belgian PM Wilfried Martens passes away aged 77

09:56 10/10/2013

Former Belgian prime minister Wilfried Martens, who led nine governments and was the president of the European People's Party, has died at the age of 77. CD&V (Flemish Christian-democrats) leader Wouter Beke announced this morning that Martens had passed away overnight. Heart problems had long affected his health, and he had been hospitalised back in late August. Leading members of his party praised Martens as a tireless leader who worked relentlessly to keep Belgium together while giving the two main linguistic regions ever more autonomy. Martens led nine governments in the 1980s and early 1990s and proved capable of keeping Belgium’s different currents together. He also helped found the European People's Party and led the EU's Christian Democrat Christian group for almost two decades before asking last week to be relieved from the job. He passed away at his home in Lokeren, East Flanders, surrounded by his wife, Miet Smet, and his children.

(AP)

Written by The Bulletin