Vilvoorde says farewell to Jean-Luc Dehaene

At 11.00 this morning in Vilvoorde began the farewell service for Belgium’s former Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene, who died on May 15 after a fall while on holiday, age 73. Hundreds of people have gathered to show their respect, including a number of big names from Belgium and abroad. The service is being shown on a large screen at Portaelsplein, next to the church.

People already began arriving in the centre of Vilvoorde around 9.00, including Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Flemish Minister-President Kris Peeters, EU President Herman Van Rompuy and a number of foreign ambassadors. As tradition dictates, the ceremony will also be attended by a representative of the Royal Palace.

Speakers include Marianne Thyssen and Wouter Beke on behalf of Dehaene’s party, CD&V, close friend Michel D'hooge, former president of the Belgian Football Association and Dehaene’s beloved Club Brugge, and Dehaene’s daughter and granddaughter.

The service is expected to last more than two hours.