The Verhofstadt II Government was the federal government of Belgium from 12 July 2003 to 21 December 2007.
It was the second government headed by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt (VLD). It was formed after the 2003 general election. It consisted of the Flemish Liberals and Democrats (VLD), the French-speaking Liberal Reformist Party (MR), the Flemish Socialist Party (SP.a) and the French-speaking Socialist Party (PS). Because it comprised liberals and socialists, it was also known as a "purple" coalition. It was a continuation of the Verhofstadt I Government but without the Green parties.
Original Composition 2003-2004
Function Holder PartyPrime MinisterGuy Verhofstadt VLDDeputy Prime MinisterMinister of JusticeLaurette Onkelinx PSDeputy Prime MinisterMinister of Foreign AffairsLouis Michel MRDeputy Prime MinisterMinister of the Budget and Public EnterprisesJohan Vande Lanotte SP.aDeputy Prime MinisterMinister of the InteriorPatrick Dewael VLDMinister of Employment and PensionsFrank Vandenbroucke SP.aMinister of DefenceAndré Flahaut PSMinister of Development CooperationMarc Verwilghen VLDMinister of FinanceDidier Reynders MRMinister of the Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade, and ScienceFientje Moerman VLDMinister of Social Affairs and Public HealthRudy Demotte PSMinister of Mobility and Social EconomyBert AnciauxSpirit(SP.a)Minister of the Civil Service, Integration, and Large CitiesMarie ArenaPSMinister of the Middle Class and AgricultureSabine LaruelleMRMinister of the Environment, Consumer Protection, and Sustainable DevelopmentFreya Van den BosscheSP.aSecretary of State for Informatization Peter Vanvelthoven SP.aSecretary of State for European Affairs Jacques Simonet MRSecretary of State for Financial Modernization and the Fight Against Fiscal Fraud Hervé Jamar MRSecretary of State for Labour Organization and Welfare at WorkAnissa TemsamaniSP.aSecretary of State for Family and the HandicappedIsabelle SimonisPSSecretary of State for Administrative ReformVincent Van QuickenborneVLD
Reshuffles On 25 September 2003, Temsamani had to resign because she had lied about a diploma she received On 12 February 2004, Jacques Simonet resigned to become Minister-President of Brussels, he was replaced by Didier Donfut (PS).
Composition after the 2004 Regional elections The 2004 Regional elections saw a fundamental reshuffle to the federal government as various federal ministers joined regional governments after these elections. The federal government after this date is often called Verhofstadt IIbis.
2004 Reshuffles Louis Michel became European Commissioner and was replaced as Deputy Prime Minister by Didier Reynders and as Foreign Minister by Karel De Gucht (VLD). Frank Vandenbroucke joined the Flemish Government and was replaced as minister of Labour by Freya Van den Bossche who kept Consumer Affairs. Bruno Tobback (SP.a) became minister taking over Environment from Freya Van den Bossche and Pensions from Vandenbroucke. Fientje Moerman joined the Flemish Government and was replaced as minister for Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Scientific Research by Marc Verwilghen, who in turn was succeeded as minister of Development Cooperation by Armand De Decker (MR). Bert Anciaux joined the Flemish Government and was succeeded as minister for Mobility by Renaat Landuyt (SP.a) Marie Arena became Minister-President of the French Community government and was replaced as minister by Christian Dupont (PS) Els Van Weert (Spirit) became state secretary for Sustainable Development Isabelle Simonis was replaced by Gisèle Mandaila Malamba (MR) as state secretary for Family and Persons with a handicap
Later Reshuffles On 15 October 2005, Johan Vande Lanotte resigned to become Chairman of the SP.a. He was replaced as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Budget by Freya Van den Bossche, who kept Consumer Affairs. Peter Vanvelthoven was promoted to Minister of Labour and Informatisation and Bruno Tuybens (SP.a) became state secretary for Public Enterprises. After the 2007 general elections the Verhofstadt II Government functioned as a caretaker government until December 2007. During that period the following reshuffling took place: On 15 July 2007, Armand De Decker became Chairman of the Belgian Senate. His competence (Development Cooperation) was taken over by Sabine Laruelle and Hervé Jamar was promoted to minister. In July 2007 Rudy Demotte became Minister-President of the Walloon Government. His competences were taken over by Didier Donfut, who was promoted to minister.