Fientje Moerman

Education

In 1981 Fientje Moerman obtained a master's degree in law. She studied law at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and at Harvard University (United States).

Professional career

She started her career as a lawyer in New York City and Brussels (1982–1984). Afterwards she became editor economy and finances for the journal De Standaard (1984–1985). Halfway the eighties of the twentieth century she was the spokeswoman of the European liberals in the European parliament and then consultant of the French former-president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1985–1991). Afterwards she was senior consultant in the European liberal fraction, was specialized in institutional reforms and relations with Israel and the Gulf States (1991–1995). During 1994-1995 she was member of the Tindemans group. Between 1988 and 1995 she also was municipal councillor and from 1995 up to 1999 alderman of Ghent for education. In 1999, she was elected to the Chamber of Representatives. In 2003, she joined the government Verhofstadt II as Minister of Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy, but in July 2004 she left the Federal Government to become the Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprises, Innovation, Science and Foreign Trade. She was also Deputy Minister-President of the Flemish Government.

Hiring scandal and resignation

In August 2007, Moerman became embroiled in a scandal around the hiring of experts for her cabinet. Her former chief of staff Aernoudt accused her of tampering with the rules for public procurement. After a negative report around the case by the Flemish ombudsman, on 10 October 2007 Fientje Moerman resigned due to the fallout of the hiring scandal; she was replaced as vice-minister-president by Dirk Van Mechelen and as minister by Patricia Ceysens.

Personal life

She identifies herself as an atheist.