Stefaan Maria Joris Yolanda[citation needed] De Clerck (Dutch pronunciation: [steːˈfaːn ˈklɛr(ə)k]; born 12 December 1951) is a Belgian politician and former Minister of Justice of Belgium. He was Minister of Justice from 1995 until 1998 as well, when he resigned following the escape from prison of Marc Dutroux. He has served as chairman of Christian Democratic and Flemish party and held a seat in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. De Clerck was mayor of Kortrijk.

Stefaan De Clerck
Minister of Justice
In office
30 December 2008 – 6 December 2011
Prime MinisterHerman Van Rompuy
Yves Leterme
Preceded byJo Vandeurzen
Succeeded byAnnemie Turtelboom
In office
28 June 1995 – 24 April 1998
Prime MinisterJean-Luc Dehaene
Preceded byMelchior Wathelet
Succeeded byTony Van Parys
Personal details
Born (1951-12-12) 12 December 1951 (age 72)
Political partyChristian Democratic and Flemish

Regarding re-instituting the death penalty in Belgium after the "Joker" murders of 2009, GlobalPost quotes De Clerck as saying: "That is not something for our times. It's not by killing somebody that we solve society's problems, just look at the United States."

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