Zuhal Demir served as Secretary of State for Poverty Reduction in the Belgian Government.
11 Facts About Zuhal Demir
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Zuhal Demir then served as the Flemish minister for Justice and Enforcement, Environment, Energy and Tourism in the Jambon Government.
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Zuhal Demir is the daughter of Alevi Kurdish parents from Turkey and lives in Antwerp.
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Zuhal Demir's father moved to Belgium to work as a miner in the 1970s.
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Zuhal Demir held dual Belgian and Turkish citizenship but renounced the latter following her election to parliament.
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Zuhal Demir is married to Flemish businessman Jeroen Overmeer, who was previously a municipal councilor for the N-VA.
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Zuhal Demir was elected to the Chamber of Representatives during the 2010 Belgian federal election for the N-VA on the Antwerp constituency list.
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Zuhal Demir has voiced opposition to Belgian politicians of Turkish descent performing military service in Turkey, arguing that it implies split loyalties and is a potential security risk, and believes politicians in ministerial posts should not hold multiple citizenships.
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Zuhal Demir has received death threats as a result of her opposition to Turkey's treatment of its Kurdish population.
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Zuhal Demir responded that she would not be "intimidated" by the stunt.
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Zuhal Demir was given police protection and surveillance at her home.