{
    "title": "Former Belgian justice minister Paul Van Tigchelt leaves politics for CEO role",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-22 11:51:20",
    "published_at": "2026-05-22 11:51:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/former-belgian-justice-minister-paul-van-tigchelt-leaves-politics-for-ceo-role",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/0tHd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "former-belgian-justice-minister-paul-van-tigchelt-leaves-politics-for-ceo-role",
    "body": "<p><strong>Paul Van Tigchelt has stepped down as a member of Belgium&rsquo;s federal parliament to become CEO of Modero, a Belgian legal services and debt recovery company.</strong></p><p>The liberal politician, who was briefly Belgium&rsquo;s justice minister from 2023 to 2025, said he wanted to return to &ldquo;work on the ground&rdquo; and focus on practical impact. In a message on social media, he said he would help ensure that both debtors and creditors are treated fairly in a fast-changing legal world.</p><p>Van Tigchelt entered frontline politics only three years ago after a long career in Belgium&rsquo;s security and justice system. Before becoming minister, he led OCAD, Belgium&rsquo;s anti-terror threat analysis body, where he helped modernise security systems after the 2016 Brussels terror attacks.</p><p>As justice minister, he oversaw the approval of Belgium&rsquo;s new criminal code, the first major reform since 1867. He also pushed for greater digitalisation of the justice system and a tougher approach to organised drug crime. However, his time in office was also marked by criticism over overcrowded prisons and rising drug-related violence in cities such as Antwerp and Brussels.</p><p>He will be replaced in parliament by Arthur Orlians, a 30-year-old local politician from Mechelen. Orlians said he wants to focus fully on the opposition role of the liberal Anders party in parliament.</p><p>In his farewell message, Van Tigchelt thanked colleagues in parliament, the police, justice services and security agencies for their cooperation over recent years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>#FlandersNewsService | Paul Van Tigchelt &copy; BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
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