Annemie Turtelbloom

Annemie is a Member of the Belgian Federal Parliament. Until May 2016, she served as Deputy First Minister, Minister of Budget, Finance and Energy in the Flemish Government.

Prior to this position, Annemie served as Minister of Justice in the Federal Government of Belgium.

During her time as Minister of Justice, Annemie instituted a sweeping reform of the judiciary, which reduced the number of judicial regions and increased the autonomy of prosecutors. She also oversaw the abdication of King Albert and the investiture of King Philippe—a first in Belgian history. Prior to serving as Minister of Justice, Annemie served as Minister of Migration and Minister of the Interior in the Belgian Federal Government. During her tenure in those positions, Annemie had oversight over the Belgian intelligence and security services. She led highly sensitive negotiations with her counterparts in the United States Government and the European Union regarding the arrest, prosecution and extradition of suspected terrorists. She also arranged for the return of illegal migrants to Morocco, a first in Belgian history.

Between 2008 and 2014, Annemie represented Belgium as Minister at the European Union’s Council of Justice and Home Affairs. Annemie has spoken extensively on topics of security and migration in Europe at the United Nations, in Washington, DC and in various European capitals and has visited refugee camps in Africa. Annemie started her political career as member of the Belgian Federal Parliament in 2003 after teaching marketing for ten years.

Annemie is fluent in Dutch, English and French and obtained a B.A.in Economics at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. In her free time she enjoys cycling and skiing, and she serves a Chairman of the Friends of the Fashion Museum in Antwerp.