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Willy ClaesBelgian statesman and politician
Date of Birth: 24.11.1938
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career in Belgium
- NATO Secretary General
- Departure from Politics
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Willy Claes was born in Hasselt, Belgium, and graduated from the Free University of Brussels.
Political Career in Belgium
Claes became a member of the Belgian Socialist Party and later the Flemish Socialist Party. He first entered the Belgian Parliament in 1968. Claes held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Education (1972-1973), Minister of Economics (1973-1974, 1977-1982), and Deputy Prime Minister (1979). During the oil crisis of 1973-1974, Claes's handling of the economy earned him praise.
NATO Secretary General
In 1994, Claes reached the pinnacle of his career by becoming Secretary General of NATO. During his short tenure (1994-1995), NATO launched its first military intervention, in Bosnia.
Departure from Politics
Claes was forced to leave the political arena after an investigation revealed allegations of bribes from the Italian aircraft company Agusta to members of the Flemish Socialist Party.
