Bernard Quintin, the diplomat who became Foreign Affairs Minister in the outgoing government, is back to serve as Belgium's new Minister of the Interior.
Quite a start to to the job. His first week saw after four shootings in three days rocked the Belgian capital, thrusting him into the limelight as the country looks for answers and reassurance.
On Wednesday, Quintin promised "zero tolerance" for violence and crime, saying that there is "no place for violence in Brussels and our big cities. This has gone on long enough."
He also called the incidents a new wake-up call for politicians to start negotiating for a Brussels-Capital Region Government. "At some point, we have to realise that it is necessary for the citizens and residents of Brussels. They now need a government."
After Friday's fourth shooting, he joined Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) to speak in favour of getting more police on the streets of Brussels – at least in the short-term.
Quintin faces a mammoth task in his new role. He will need to get a grip on the escalating drug violence in Belgium, from the Port of Antwerp to Brussels and beyond.
Yet when looking at his CV, Quintin is more foreign affairs than Forest affairs.
Who is he?
Quintin was first introduced in November 2024 to national politics as a surprise pick by Georges-Louis Bouchez, the leader of the MR. He replaced Hadja Lahbib, who became a European Commissioner.
Minister of Interior Bernard Quintin and King Philippe pictured during the oath ceremony of the new Prime Minister and members of the federal government at the Royal Palace, Monday 03 February 2025, in Brussels. Credit: Belga
MR’s decision to make him as chief of foreign affairs was supported by Quintin's extensive experience in over 20 years in Belgian diplomacy. His roles include Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Belgian Ambassador to Burundi from 2016 to 2019, and Chief of Staff for Philippe Goffin during Goffin’s tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence.
Quintin also served as Deputy Director-General for Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and then as Director-General of Coordination and European Affairs for Belgium during its presidency of the EU Council.
Quintin, known for his jovial personality and competence, has a deep understanding of African issues. Before becoming Ambassador to Burundi, he was an advisor to the Belgian Ambassador in Kinshasa during the 2006 presidential elections.
Quintin’s candidacy for EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region was notable, although blocked last year by Rwanda despite support from Belgium.
King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and Brazil General Consul Bernard Quintin pictured during the inauguration of the Avenida Raiha Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth Avenue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday 21 June 2014. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Sworn in before the King on 2 December as Foreign Minister, Quintin had been very active in his role. In two months, he sent an emissary to visit Damascus and the post-Assad regime, visited Turkey in early January, and recently traveled to Morocco. He had also been addressing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In his final days as Foreign Minister before joining Arizona, Quintin issued a plea that US President Donald Trump's return should motivate Europe to work harder on its strategic autonomy.
