Politicians and public pay last respects to Miet Smet
Several hundred people gathered in Lokeren, East Flanders, on Saturday to bid a final farewell to politician Miet Smet, who died on 19 December at the age of 81.
The state funeral was attended by a number of leading figures from her party, the Flemish Christian democrats, including Nicole De Moor, Yves Leterme, Pieter De Crem and Hilde Crevits. Matthias Diependaele of N-VA and Vooruit’s Frank Vandenbroucke were also present, while members of the public were able to watch the ceremony on a screen on the Grand Place.
Born in Sint-Niklaas in 1943, Smet left her mark on Belgian politics in the 1980s and 1990s as state secretary for Environment and Equal Opportunities and minister of Labour and Employment. She was also an MEP from 1999 to 2004.
“It is no exaggeration to say that Miet is the greatest feminist our country has ever known”
She founded Woman & Society, CD&V’s women's movement, and is considered one of the icons of women’s emancipation in Belgium and a champion of equal opportunities. When her death was announced, current CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi said “it is no exaggeration to say that Miet is the greatest feminist our country has ever known”.
In 2008, she married former prime minister Wilfried Martens, who died in 2013.
Smet spent most of her life in Lokeren. “We wanted to say goodbye to her as she would have wanted, in a tribute where everyone is welcome,” her family said. “Her work in favour of equal opportunities and the fight for women’s rights will be honoured during and after the ceremony.”
#FlandersNewsService | © The remembrance card at the state funeral ceremony for politician Miet Smet in Lokeren, 4 January 2025 © BELGA PHOTO / BELGA VIDEO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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