13 years already: August 5, 2012, Michel Daerden, “dad”, left us

Belgian political figure and member of the PS, that which was nicknamed “The Socialist at Porsche”, who left for nothing, had climbed all the levels of politics. Similarly, Burned with the figures. Consequently, he exercised the profession of business reviewer, which had enabled him to acquire a certain renown and to make his address book grow. In addition, As clever behind a calculator as in society. Meanwhile, he was in turn elected municipal councilor, alderman, bourgmestre deputy then regional and federal minister …

An influential member of Liège politics. Furthermore, “voice maker”, unmatched, he had also become the symbol in a “way” of making politics … Nevertheless, His face, his gauge and his love for good wine were widely participated in the emergence of “Daerdenmania” … Therefore, Michel himself affirmed on TV sets: “Everyone 13 years already: august 5, loves Papa”.

This August 5, 2025, 13 years after his death, his son Frédéric Daerden, broadcast a moving testimony on the networks.

“Thirteen years already.

Thirteen years that you have not been as we have known to you. but your aura continues to illuminate our memories. Thirteen sums that you left this world, but that your imprint remains, deep, lively, indelible.

You were much more than a father. You were a strength, heat, presence. A man of convictions, passion, heart. A minister, yes, a public man, but above all a loved one. By those you have defended, listened to, worn. By those you made laugh, think, hope.

For me, you remain this benevolent look, that accomplice smile, this rock on which I could always count.

You were a man of convictions, an exceptional father.

You taught 13 years already: august 5, me never to turn away from my values. to move forward even in the storm, to remain human above all.

It is not a day when I don’t think of you. At your voice on the phone. To our discussions, serious or light. To this link, so strong, that neither time nor death can break.

People still tell me about you. With tenderness. With emotion. You are still there, in their memories, in their hearts. And you live in me, in each of my steps, in each of my choices.

“Great men never die, they live in the memory of those they loved.”

You were a unique father. grandfather, a true man, a minister in the service of the people, but always faithful to yourself. You often said:

“You have to stay simple, close to people. That’s it, do politics 13 years already: august 5, with the heart.”

You transmitted me much more than a name: a vision. a force, a fidelity to the values that still unite us today and forever.

Frédéric”