Albert De Vleeschauwer

He served as chef de cabinet to Hendrik Baels, the Minister of Agriculture, in 1929–1930 and began his political career in 1932 when he was elected member of parliament for Leuven.

In a cabinet meeting on 18 June, the three ministers expressed the desire to flee to London to continue the war: Camille Gutt, Albert de Vleeschauwer and Marcel-Henri Jaspar.

On 18 June 1940, the Belgian government issued a decree that gave de Vleeschauwer full legislative and executive power to manage the Congo as administrator-general.

De Vleeschauwer was given the title of Administrateur Général des Colonies with the mission, and full powers, to protect the Congo's interests abroad.

The Minister, his family and a few friends were granted visas by the Portuguese consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes and left for Portugal that same month.

Towards the end of the war, his wife Yvonne and four of his five children also stayed in Portugal, in Monte Estoril, at the Hotel Miramar, between 25 November 1944 and 4 April 1945.

[6] In his capacity as Minister for the Colonies and as Administrator-general of the Belgian Congo, he placed the entire production of all raw materials at the disposition of Great Britain in the war against Nazi Germany.

Poor communications and French interference caused considerable delay, and only on August 2 did de Vleeschauwer manage to meet Hubert Pierlot, Paul-Henri Spaak and Camille Gutt on the French–Spanish border at the Col du Perthus.

The American government started its Manhattan project also in 1942 and conducted negotiations concerning the supply of uranium from the main Congolese mining company Union Minière du Haut Katanga.

[8] As a staunch monarchist, after leaving the government in February 1945 De Vleeschauwer committed himself to the defence of King Leopold and campaigned vigorously for his return to the throne.

The succeeding government led by Jean Duvieusart failed in its attempt to restore the King to his throne and resigned after settling for an abdication in favour of his son Baudouin (August 1950).