Jules Renkin

Who was Jules Renkin?

Jules Laurent Jean Louis Renkin was a Belgian politician.

Born in Ixelles, Renkin studied and practised law, and helped found the journal L'Avenir Sociale. In 1896 he was elected as a member of the Catholic Party to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for Brussels, a seat he held until his death. Original on the Christian Democratic wing of the party, Renkin's views became more conservative with time.

He held several ministerial posts, Justice in 1907–1908, Colonies from 1908 to 1918, the Interior in 1918–1920, and Railway and Posts from 1918 to 1921. In 1920 he was named an honorary Minister of State.

In 1931 he became the 28th Prime Minister of Belgium, also holding the Interior, Finance, and Health portfolios. His government was unable to deal effectively with the economic crisis facing Belgium at the time and fell in 1932.