Patrik Vankrunkelsven

Patrick Jules Maria Vankrunkelsven (born 2 May 1957), is a Belgian physician, professor of medicine and politician. He obtained an MD and PhD from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Leuven, Belgium).

Patrik Vankrunkelsven
Senator
In office 28 June 2007 (2007-06-28) – June 2011
Personal details
Born	(1957-05-02) 2 May 1957 (age 68) Geel
Nationality	Belgian
Political party	VU (1983–1998) VU-iD21 (1998–2001) Spirit (2001–2002) VLD (2002–2007) Open VLD (2007–)
Residence	Laakdal
Alma mater	Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Occupation	politician, physician, professor
Website	www.vankrunkelsven.be

Political career

He was president of the Volksunie from 1998 until 2000, succeeding Bert Anciaux.^[1] When that party was dissolved in 2001, he initially chose the left-liberal SPIRIT, but eventually went to the VLD where he was senator from 2007 until 2011.^[2] He was part of the party's left wing. Patrik Vankrunkelsven has been mayor of Laakdal from 1994 to 2006.

At the end of 2009, he announced that he would leave politics to refocus on his medical practice and his professional status at the university.^[3]