Herman Van Rompuy Joins the Advisory Council of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics

The Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (BIG) is delighted to welcome Herman Van Rompuy as a member of its Advisory Council, a distinguished group of leaders from the fields of politics, the arts, academia and business. 

Van Rompuy is a Belgian statesman and economist who served as the first full-time President of the European Council from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure, he played a central role in guiding the European Union through the global financial crisis, fostering consensus among member states, and shaping the EU’s long-term strategic direction. In 2012, he was unanimously re-elected for a second term by the heads of state and government. 

Prior to his European leadership, Van Rompuy served as Prime Minister of Belgium (2008–2009) and held several key positions within the Belgian government, including Minister of Budget (1993–1999) and President of the Chamber of Representatives (2007–2008).  

Since leaving office, Van Rompuy has remained actively engaged in European and global affairs, providing strategic insights on geopolitical challenges, economic governance, and the future of the EU. In 2019, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the College of Europe, further contributing to the next generation of European policymakers and diplomats. 

His expertise and extensive experience will be invaluable to BIG’s mission to help Europe get in shape for the new era of great power politics. We look forward to working closely with him and benefiting from his unparalleled insights into European and global affairs.