Annemie Turtelboom is a member of the Belgian Federal Parliament. Until May 2016, she served as Deputy First Minister, Minister of Budget, Finance and Energy in the Flemish Government. Prior to this position, Turtelboom served as Minister of Justice in the Federal Government of Belgium. During her time as Minister of Justice, Turtelboom instituted a sweeping reform of the judiciary, which reduced the number of judicial regions and increased the autonomy of prosecutors. She also oversaw the abdication of King Albert and the investiture of King Philippe—a first in Belgian history. Prior to serving as Minister of Justice, Turtelboom served as Minister of Migration and Minister of the Interior in the Belgian federal government. During her tenure in those positions, Turtelboom had oversight over the Belgian intelligence and security services. She led highly sensitive negotiations with her counterparts in the U.S. government and the European Union regarding the arrest, prosecution and extradition of suspected terrorists. She also arranged for the return of illegal migrants to Morocco, a first in Belgian history. Between 2008 and 2014, she represented Belgium as Minister at the European Union’s Council of Justice and Home Affairs. Turtelboom has spoken extensively on topics related to security and migration in Europe at the United Nations, in Washington, D.C., and in various European capitals and she has visited refugee camps in Africa. Turtelboom started her political career as member of the Belgian Federal Parliament in 2003 after teaching marketing for 10 years. Turtelboom is fluent in Dutch, English and French, and obtained a BA in economics at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.