Tom Vandendriessche is a prominent Belgian politician affiliated with the Vlaams Belang party. He is currently serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and plays an active role in European politics. Vandendriessche is a key figure in the European political landscape, advocating for stricter migration policies and European identity.
Current Role
Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
- Elected: First elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2024.
- Political Affiliation: Member of the Vlaams Belang party, which is a far-right political party in Belgium.
- European Parliament Group: Currently a member of the Patriots for Europe Group, having previously been part of the Identity and Democracy Group.
- Committee Membership:
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
- Delegations for relations with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (DASE).
- Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (DMED).
Head of the Study Service for Vlaams Belang
- Role: Since 2020, Vandendriessche has been leading the study service for Vlaams Belang, which plays a key role in developing and shaping the party’s policies and strategic direction.
Key Achievements
Leadership in Vlaams Belang
- Strategic Influence: Vandendriessche is considered one of the top advisors to Vlaams Belang’s president, Tom Van Grieken. He has been instrumental in the party’s decision-making process and strategic planning, shaping the direction of the party’s political agenda.
Migration Policy Advocacy
- Fort Europa: A major area of focus for Vandendriessche is advocating for stricter migration policies. He has been a strong proponent of the “Fort Europa” concept, which advocates for processing asylum claims outside the EU’s borders to control migration into Europe.
- Policy Impact: His advocacy on migration has helped raise awareness about issues related to border security, European sovereignty, and national identity within the EU.
Re-election in 2024
- Electoral Success: Vandendriessche successfully secured a significant number of votes in the 2024 European elections, ensuring his continued role as a Member of the European Parliament. This achievement reflects his strong political presence and continued influence within his party and the broader European political context.
Political Party and Country
- Political Party: Vlaams Belang, a right-wing populist party in Belgium known for its strong stance on issues such as immigration, national identity, and European sovereignty.
- Country: Belgium, a member state of the European Union, where Vandendriessche plays a key role in representing his party’s interests in European politics.
Personal Background
Birthdate and Birthplace
- Birthdate: October 27, 1978
- Birthplace: Leuven, Belgium
Education and Qualifications
Tom Vandendriessche has an educational background in both political sciences and business economics. Below are the key details:
- Master’s Degree in Political Sciences: Specific university information is not provided.
- Master’s Degree in Business Economics: University details are not available.
Although detailed information regarding the institutions from which he obtained his degrees is not provided in the available data, his dual academic qualifications reflect a broad foundation in both politics and business, which would contribute to his professional and political career.
Professional Career Before Entering Politics
Before venturing into politics, Tom Vandendriessche had a diverse career primarily in management, business analysis, and auditing. His career path reflects a strong background in both the private and public sectors. Below is an outline of his professional roles prior to entering politics:
- Management Trainee (2005):
Vandendriessche began his career at Katoen Natie, a logistics and supply chain company, where he worked as a management trainee. This role marked the beginning of his professional journey, giving him exposure to business operations and management strategies. - Business Process Engineer (2006-2008):
From 2006 to 2008, he worked as a business process engineer for the MOD-services of the Flemish Government. In this role, he was involved in optimizing business processes within the government sector, gaining valuable experience in public administration and management. - Business Analyst (2009-2012):
Vandendriessche served as a business analyst with Kind en Gezin, a public organization focused on child and family welfare in Flanders. His responsibilities likely included analyzing and improving organizational processes and systems to ensure better service delivery in the public sector. - Internal Auditor (2013-2014):
He worked as an internal auditor for Audio Lokaal, a company involved in providing sound systems and audio equipment. His role involved evaluating and improving the company’s internal controls, ensuring compliance with regulations, and enhancing financial management processes. - External Auditor (2014):
In 2014, he transitioned to the role of external auditor at the Flanders Audit Authority. This position entailed auditing the financial and operational performance of public institutions in Flanders, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Family Details
Marital Status
- Married: Tom Vandendriessche is married, though the name of his spouse is not specifically mentioned in available information.
Children
- Two Sons: Tom and his spouse have two young sons, though additional details about their names or ages are not provided.
Residence
- Bruges: Tom Vandendriessche resides in the center of Bruges with his family, a city known for its rich history and beautiful medieval architecture.
Parents’ Background
- Parents’ Profession: His parents worked for the United Nations’ development program, contributing to global efforts in Taiwan and Brazil before eventually returning to Belgium.
- Cultural and Political Background: His family comes from a traditional Christian Democratic background, reflecting values of the Christian Democratic political movement.
- Father’s Hometown: His father is originally from Roeselare, a city in the West Flanders province of Belgium.
- Mother’s Hometown: His mother hails from Antwerp, another major Belgian city known for its cultural and economic significance.
Political Career Overview
Early Involvement and Entry into Politics
- Initial Engagement with Flemish Nationalism (1993): Tom Vandendriessche began his political journey at a young age by joining the Flemish nationalist movement. He became a member of the right-wing Vlaams Blok and its youth wing, Vlaams Blok Jongeren, in 1993.
- Spokesperson for ENF Group (2016): His political career took a significant step forward when he was appointed as the spokesperson and press attaché for the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group in the European Parliament in 2016, further establishing his influence in European politics.
Milestones in Political Journey
- Election to the European Parliament (2019): Vandendriessche reached a key milestone in his political career in 2019, when he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He garnered 69,000 preference votes, succeeding Patsy Vatlet, who opted not to take up her seat. This election marked a major shift in his political trajectory.
- Re-election and Growth in Popularity (2024): Vandendriessche was re-elected to the European Parliament in June 2024. His popularity soared, as he received a significant increase in votes, nearly quadrupling his previous total to 318,151 preferential votes. This impressive result reflected his growing influence within the political sphere.
- Leadership Role in Vlaams Belang (2024): After his re-election, Vandendriessche took on a leadership position as the head of the Vlaams Belang delegation in the European Parliament. His party is part of the Patriots for Europe group, a coalition of nationalist and right-wing parties.
Key Roles Held
Committee Memberships
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): Vandendriessche is a member of this committee, which is responsible for issues related to civil liberties, justice, and home affairs in the European Union.
Delegations
- Delegation for Relations with Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE): He serves as a member of this delegation, focusing on strengthening ties with countries in Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (DMED): Vandendriessche is also a member of this delegation, which works to enhance cooperation between the European Parliament and Mediterranean countries.
Leadership Positions
- Head of Vlaams Belang Delegation (2024–Present): After his re-election in 2024, Vandendriessche became the head of the Vlaams Belang delegation in the European Parliament. In this role, he represents the party’s interests within the broader European political landscape.
- Spokesperson and Press Attaché for the ENF Group (2016–2019): During his tenure as spokesperson for the ENF group, Vandendriessche played a key role in communicating the group’s positions and policies, contributing to his growing prominence in European politics.
Party Bureau Membership
- Member of Vlaams Belang Party Bureau (2020–Present): Since 2020, Vandendriessche has been a member of the party bureau of Vlaams Belang, where he focuses on strategy and study services, further solidifying his leadership role within the party.
Political Stance and Advocacy
Vandendriessche’s political career is marked by his advocacy for Flemish nationalism and his right-wing positions. In the European Parliament, he is known for his strong stance on stricter migration policies and his opposition to globalist trends, reflecting the core principles of his party, Vlaams Belang.
Ministerial Roles
- No Ministerial Positions: Based on available information, Vandendriessche has not held any ministerial roles during his political career.
Current Role in the European Parliament
Vandendriessche is a Member of the European Parliament, where he serves on various influential committees and delegations. His current roles include:
Committees and Delegations
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): Full Member
This committee is central to discussions on human rights, civil liberties, and justice within the European Union. As a member, Vandendriessche plays a role in shaping policies concerning migration, internal security, and legal frameworks across the EU. - Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (DASE): Full Member
This delegation is focused on fostering and strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the European Union and the ASEAN region. - Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (DMED): Full Member
In this role, Vandendriessche engages with countries from the Mediterranean region to enhance regional cooperation, security, and economic collaboration.
Substitute Member
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection: Substitute Member
This committee deals with issues related to the EU’s internal market, consumer rights, and policies promoting the free movement of goods and services within the EU. - Delegation to the Cariforum-EU Parliamentary Committee: Substitute Member
In this capacity, Vandendriessche supports relations between the EU and Caribbean countries, focusing on trade, development, and mutual cooperation. - Delegation for relations with Japan: Substitute Member
This delegation works to strengthen the EU-Japan relationship, particularly in areas such as trade, innovation, and global security. - Delegation for relations with South Africa: Substitute Member
Vandendriessche contributes to shaping EU-South Africa relations, including discussions on trade, development, and diplomatic matters.
Specific Responsibilities and Areas of Focus
Vandendriessche’s areas of focus within the European Parliament include:
Migration Policy
Vandendriessche is a vocal advocate for stricter migration policies, particularly those aimed at limiting the flow of migrants into the EU. His approach is characterized by a strong emphasis on the “Fortress Europe” concept, which proposes the external processing of asylum claims and the exclusion of illegal migrants from gaining legal residence within EU borders. He has been critical of policies that facilitate mass migration and has played an active role in debates surrounding the European migration pact.
Economic Policy
In terms of economic policy, Vandendriessche supports a free-market economy but believes in the necessity of social corrections to address inequality. He emphasizes the importance of providing incentives for work and entrepreneurship as key drivers of economic growth.
Climate and Agriculture
Vandendriessche has been a strong opponent of the European Green Deal, which he argues could have negative consequences for the agricultural sector. He has voiced concerns about the potential harm the Green Deal could cause to European farmers, particularly in relation to agricultural practices and market access.
Legislative Initiatives or Contributions
Vandendriessche has been involved in several key legislative debates and initiatives:
- Migration Debates: Vandendriessche has been an active participant in discussions surrounding migration policy, particularly criticizing the European migration pact for enabling mass migration to Europe. He advocates for stronger measures to control immigration and protect European borders.
- European Green Deal: He has contributed to motions and discussions calling for broader civil discourse on the European Green Deal. Vandendriessche opposes the deal due to its potential negative impact on the agricultural sector, and he has advocated for alternative solutions that do not jeopardize European industries.
- Protection of European Maritime Interests: Vandendriessche has participated in debates related to the protection of European maritime interests, particularly in the Red Sea. He supports policies that ensure European security and economic interests are safeguarded in international waters.
Positions on Key Policies
Vandendriessche’s positions on various key policies are as follows:
Climate Change
Vandendriessche opposes the European Green Deal, viewing it as a threat to European industries, particularly agriculture. He argues for alternative approaches to climate action that do not undermine economic sectors vital to the EU.
Trade
He has been critical of trade agreements such as the Mercosur deal, raising concerns about their potential impact on European industries. Vandendriessche is cautious about global trade deals that may harm domestic markets and the EU’s economic stability.
Digitalization
While specific comments on digitalization are not detailed in the available information, his membership in the LIBE Committee may involve discussions on issues related to digital rights, privacy, and the impact of emerging technologies on EU governance.
Human Rights
Though not explicitly mentioned, Vandendriessche’s role in the LIBE Committee suggests that he may engage in discussions related to human rights issues, particularly as they intersect with migration and justice policies.
Migration
Vandendriessche advocates for stricter migration policies, focusing on external processing of asylum claims and measures such as pushbacks to limit illegal migration into the EU. His stance aligns with a broader focus on preserving European sovereignty and security