Herman Van Rompuy

Herman Van Rompuy

Herman Achille Van Rompuy (born 31 October 1947) is the first full-time President of the European Council. This is a position appointed by the European Council. A Belgian politician of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party, Van Rompuy served as the 49th prime minister of Belgium from 30 December 2008 until his predecessor (Yves Leterme) succeeded him on 25 November 2009. He has the Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold.

On 19 November 2009 Van Rompuy was elected by the members of the European Council as the first full-time President of the European Council under the Treaty of Lisbon. He was appointed to chair the institution for the period starting from 1 December 2009 until 31 May 2012, though he only took up his position officially on 1 January 2010. On 1 March 2012 Herman Van Rompuy was re-elected by the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states. His second (and last) term is set to last two and a half years, from 1 June 2012 to 30 November 2014.