Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 6, 2026

Gaby Colebunders

Gaby Colebunders is a Belgian trade unionist, politician and member of the Flemish Parliament. A member of the Workers' Party of Belgium, he has represented Limburg since July 2024. He had previously been a member of the Chamber of Representatives from June 2019 to May 2024.

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Gaby Colebunders
Colebunders in December 2022
Member of the Flemish Parliament
Incumbent
Assumed office
2 July 2024
ConstituencyLimburg
Member of the Chamber of Representatives
In office
20 June 2019 – 27 May 2024
ConstituencyLiège
Personal details
Born (1972-12-26) 26 December 1972
Genk, Belgium
PartyWorkers' Party of Belgium

Gaby Colebunders (born 26 December 1972) is a Belgian trade unionist, politician and member of the Flemish Parliament.1 A member of the Workers' Party of Belgium, he has represented Limburg since July 2024. He had previously been a member of the Chamber of Representatives from June 2019 to May 2024.2

Colebunders was born on 26 December 1972 in Genk.1 He studied social work at the Centre for Adult Education (CVO) in Brussels.1 Colebunders, whose mentor was Jef Ulburghs, has been taking part in protests since he was twelve.3 He became a trade union representative whilst working for a cardboard company.3 He then worked at the Ford Genk factory for 25 years where he was a trade union representative for the General Labour Federation of Belgium (ABVV).34 He was at the forefront of trade union opposition to the closure of the factory announced in 2014.3 A hardliner, he fell out with the ABVV leadership and joined the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV).4 He spent a night in police custody after taking part in a union demonstration at Ford Cologne in November 2012.45 He has also worked for a stone carpet company.4

Colebunders contested the 2014 regional election as the Workers' Party of Belgium (PVDA)'s first placed candidate in Limburg but the party failed to win any seats in the constituency.6 He was elected to the municipal council in Genk at the 2018 local election.7 He was elected to the Chamber of Representatives at the 2019 federal election.89 He was elected to the Flemish Parliament at the 2024 regional election.1011

Colebunders is married and has three children and a grandchild.12 His daughter Giada died unexpectedly in June 2022 at the age of 21.13

Electoral history of Gaby Colebunders
Election Constituency Party Votes Result
2014 regional6 Limburg Workers' Party of Belgium 4,495 Not elected
2018 local7 Genk Workers' Party of Belgium 682 Elected
2019 federal8 Liège Workers' Party of Belgium 3,524 Elected
2024 regional10 Limburg Workers' Party of Belgium 13,116 Elected
References

References

  1. "Volksvertegenwoordigers: Gaby Colebunders" (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Flemish Parliament. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  2. "Les Députés: Gaby Colebunders" (in French). Brussels, Belgium: Chamber of Representatives. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  3. "Partijleiding: Gaby Colebunders" (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Workers' Party of Belgium. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  4. "Gewezen Ford-vakbondsman Gaby Colebunders trekt PVDA-lijst in Limburg". Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). Hasselt, Belgium. Belga. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. Lenaers, Xavier (18 October 2014). "Proces Gaby Colebunders van start". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Antwerp, Belgium. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. "Resultaat Vlaams Parlement 25 mei 2014 - Kieskring Limburg". Verkiezingsuitslagen (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Federal Public Service Interior. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  7. "Lokale verkiezingen 2018: Genk - Verkozen kandidaten". vlaanderenkiest (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Flemish Government. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  8. "Résultat Chambre des Représentants 26 mai 2019 - Circonscription de Liège". Résultats électoraux (in French). Brussels, Belgium: Federal Public Service Interior. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  9. Robaye, Benoît (19 June 2019). "Prestations de serment à la Chambre ce jeudi: ces cinq députés ont eu un coup de pot, contrairement à ces quatorze-là". L'Avenir (in French). Bouge, Belgium. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  10. "Resultaat Vlaams Parlement 9 juni 2024 - Kieskring Limburg". Verkiezingsuitslagen (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Federal Public Service Interior. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  11. Peeters, Femke (10 June 2024). "Voor hen hebt u gestemd! Dit zijn de verkozen politici in de provincie Limburg". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Antwerp, Belgium. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  12. "Direction du parti: Gaby Colebunders" (in French). Brussels, Belgium: Workers' Party of Belgium. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. Snoekx, Koen (30 June 2022). "Volksvertegenwoordiger verliest onverwacht dochter Giada (21): "Mijn prinsesje was alles voor mij"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2024.