- Born on 13 August 1943 in Noville (B)

- Nationality: Belgian

- PhD in Sociology (1974)

- Political adviser to Jean-Pierre Grafé, Belgian Minister for French Culture (1974–1975)

- Political adviser to the Walloon Christian Social Party (PSC) with responsibility for international relations (1974–1979)

- Head of the Private Office of Paul Vanden Boeynants, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister (1979–1981)

- Leader of the PSC (1981–1996)

- Member of the Political Bureau of the European People’s Party (1981–1996)

- Minister of State (since 30 January 1995)

- Leader of the Citizens’ Movement for Change (MCC) (since 1998)

- Delegate-General of the European Democratic Party (since 2004)

- Senator (2010–2014)

- Member of the European Parliament (1984–2009 and since 2014)