| Bart Staes | |
| Office: | Member of the European Parliament |
| Term Start: | 20 July 1999 |
| Term End: | 2019 |
| Birth Date: | 7 August 1958 |
| Birth Place: | Izegem |
| Nationality: | Belgian |
| Party: | Volksunie Groen (2002–) |
| Residence: | Antwerp |
| Alma Mater: | Sint-Thomas Pedagogische Hogeschool, Brussels |
| Occupation: | Teacher, politician |
| Website: | Official website |
Bart Hubert Wilfried Marcel Staes (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈbɑrt ˈstaːs/; born 7 August 1958), is a Belgian politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament for Flanders from 1999 until 2019. He is a member of Groen, part of the European Greens.
After studying in Brussels and qualifying as a teacher (Dutch/English/Economics), Staes turned to politics, beginning his political career in the Volksunie, which later became Spirit. Following the formation of the electoral alliance (cartel) between Spirit and the Socialistische Partij Anders (sp.a) in 2002, Staes moved to join Agalev (as it was then known; today, Groen). He has been a Member of the European Parliament continuously since 1999, at first for the Volksunie, later Spirit and now Groen. His particular interests are the environment and peace movements.
His political career started with membership of the Volksunie, with the collapse of that party in 2002 he joined Groen!.
Staes was first elected into the European Parliament in 1999 and was reelected, as only member from his party, in 2004 and 2009. During his time in parliament, he was part of The Greens–European Free Alliance transnational political group together with MEPs for the GreenLeft. He served on the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Politics Curriculum: