The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Martens, Wilfried
1936–, Belgian politician. A lawyer and well-respected negotiator, he was president of the youth wing of the Christian People’s Party from 1965 to 1972. In the world of fractious Belgian politics, Martens has proven a popular figure. Premier from 1979 to 1992, he survived elections in 1982 and 1987 that focused on economic policy and a language dispute.
