Herman van Rompuy
In 2010, Herman van Rompuy, former president of the European Council, held the 11th Europe Lecture. He was introduced by Frans Timmermans, member of the Dutch House of Representatives. The theme of this lecture was 'Europe 2030'.
From December 1st 2009 Herman Van Rompuy (1947) is president of the European Council. He officially started his term on January 1st 2010. On November 19th 2009 Van Rompuy was appointed by the European Council in this office for two-and-a-half years. On March 1st 2012 he got re-elected. From December 30th 2008 to November 2009, Van Rompuy was prime-minister of Belgium.
His career started at the National Bank of Belgium. Later a series of politial offices followed. Van Rompuy has been Deputy Minister, senator, chairman of the Christian Social Party (CVP), vice-prime-minister, minister of budget and chairman of the House of Representatives. Van Rompuy is a member of Flemish Christian-Democratic party CD&V. From 2008 to 2009 he led a coalition of Christian-Democrats, Liberals and Walloon Socialists.