ROSSEM was a Belgian libertine political party founded in 1991 by the maverick Flemish businessman and writer Jean-Pierre Van Rossem. The acronym 'ROSSEM' stood for 'Radicale Omvormers and Sociale Strijders voor een Eerlijker Maatschappij" which can loosely be translated as "radical reformists and social fighters for a fairer society". Libertine is the name given to certain political or social groups active in Europe in the 17th century. ... Jean Pierre Van Rossem (born in Bruges, Belgium) on 29 May 1945) is a well-known Flemish politician, entrepreneur and writer. ...

The party participated in the 24 November 1991 elections for the Belgian national parliament. It scored surprisingly well for a non-mainstream party, achieving 3.2% of the vote which entitled it to three seats in the lower house and one in the senate. November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Initially, Van Rossem could not take up his seat as he was arrested a few days before the elections following allegations of major financial fraud. He was eventually sworn in on 7 January 1992. Another parliamentarian for ROSSEM was Jan Decorte, a Flemish stage actor and director, who broke with Van Rossem following the 1993 incident (ref. below) and continued as an independent. January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

In 1993 Van Rossem again courted controversy by shouting 'Vive la république' during King Albert II's oath ceremony following his succession to the throne. Later that year, the party collapsed due to infighting amongst its members, and did not contest the next election. Albert II, King of the Belgians (Albert Félix Humbert Théodore Chrétien Eugène Marie), (born June 6, 1934), is the current King of the Belgians and a constitutional monarch. ...

External links

• http://www.vub.ac.be/belgianelections/El324111991.html