Dirk Van Mechelen


Dirk Louis Maria Van Mechelen was the Flemish minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning. He is a member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats.

Education

He obtained a degree in history from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in 1980.

Career

He started his professional career at Buchmann Optical Industries in Kapellen, the company of Jacky Buchmann. In 1982, he started his political career in the municipal council of Kapellen.
After the regional elections of 1999 he became Flemish minister of Town and Country Planning, Economy and Media. Since 2001 he is the mayor of Kapellen.
After the regional elections of 2004 he became Flemish minister of Finance and Budget and Town and Country Planning till 2009.

Honours