Yvan Verougstraete

Yvan Verougstraete is a prominent Belgian politician and entrepreneur, serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since June 2024. Representing Belgium’s center-right party, Les Engagés, Verougstraete is part of the Renew Europe group, which emphasizes liberal, progressive, and pro-European values. Known for his dynamic leadership and innovative spirit, he has achieved notable success in both politics and entrepreneurship.

Current Role

Member of the European Parliament

• Committees and Responsibilities:
  • Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE), where he plays a pivotal role in shaping policies related to technological innovation, energy transition, and industrial development in Europe.
  • Member of the delegations to the OACPS-EU Parliamentary Assembly and the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly, contributing to fostering cooperation and dialogue between Europe and its partner regions.
• Focus Areas:
  • Advancing sustainable and green energy policies.
  • Promoting research and innovation within European industries.
  • Strengthening partnerships with African and OACPS nations to enhance mutual growth and development

Key Achievements

Entrepreneurial Success

• Founder of Medi-Market:
  • Verougstraete founded Medi-Market, a highly successful chain of pharmacies and parapharmacies operating in Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • His innovative approach to affordable healthcare earned him widespread recognition, including being named Manager of the Year 2019 by Trends-Tendance magazine.

Early Political Milestones

• Youngest Local Councillor:
  • At just 18 years old, Verougstraete became the youngest local councillor in Belgium, representing Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.
  • His early entry into politics marked the beginning of a career dedicated to public service and leadership.

Political Leadership

• Vice-President of Les Engagés:
  • As Vice President of his party, Verougstraete has been instrumental in shaping its political vision, focusing on liberal-social and green policies.
  • His leadership emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, aligning with the party’s progressive goals.

Political Party and Country

• Political Affiliation:

  • Verougstraete is a key figure in Les Engagés, a center-right political party in Belgium that advocates for social liberalism and sustainable development.
  • As part of the Renew Europe group, he contributes to advancing pro-European initiatives in the European Parliament.

• Country:

  • Representing Belgium, Verougstraete brings his entrepreneurial expertise and political acumen to address both national and European challenges.

Personal Background

Birthdate and Birthplace

• Birthdate: October 6, 1975
• Birthplace: Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium

Education and Qualifications

• Secondary Education: Sint-Michielscollege, Brussels (1986-1992)
• Law Degree: Université Catholique de Louvain (1992-1997)
• MBA: Vlerick Business School (1997-1998)

Professional Career Before Entering Politics

• Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company: 1999-2002
• Operational Director at Delitraiteur: 2002-2004
• Founder and Managing Director of Divine Cuisine: 2004-2010
• Managing Director at Tasty Food: 2010-2011
• Secretary-General at Viangro Group: 2012
• Founder and CEO of Medi-Market: January 2014 – May 2021
• Co-Founder of Prego!: April 2023 – Present

Verougstraete’s career before politics was marked by significant entrepreneurial and managerial roles, culminating in the successful founding and leadership of Medi-Market, a prominent chain of pharmacies and parapharmacies in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Family Details

Personal Background

• Birthdate: October 6, 1975
• Birthplace: Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium
• Education:
  • Completed secondary education at Sint-Michielscollege, Brussels.
  • Earned a law degree from Université Catholique de Louvain in 1997.
  • Completed an MBA at Vlerick Business School in 1998.

Family Details

• As of the available information, there is no specific public data regarding Yvan Verougstraete’s family, including details about a spouse, children, or other close relatives.
• Any personal information about his family has not been disclosed or documented in publicly accessible records or sources.

Political Career of Yvan Verougstraete

Entry into Politics

• Youngest Local Councillor in Belgium:
  Yvan Verougstraete began his political career at the remarkable age of 18, becoming the youngest local councillor in Belgium in 1994. He served in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, marking the start of his public service journey.

Milestones in Political Journey

• Return to Politics:
  After a successful entrepreneurial career, Verougstraete re-entered the political arena in 2021. He joined the Les Engagés party, taking on the significant role of vice president in June 2022.
• European Elections 2024:
  As the lead candidate for Les Engagés in the June 2024 European elections, Verougstraete achieved a major milestone by being elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) on June 9, 2024, with 63,530 votes.
• Representation in the European Parliament:
  His election marked a turning point in his political career, as he became a part of the Renew Europe group, contributing to European-level policy and governance.

Key Roles Held

• Vice-President of Les Engagés:
  • Since June 2022, Verougstraete has been a key figure in the leadership of Les Engagés, helping shape the party’s vision and strategy.
• Member of the European Parliament:
  • Elected in June 2024, Verougstraete represents Belgium as an MEP, focusing on industry, energy, the environment, and international relations.
  • He is part of the Renew Europe group, which emphasizes reform, sustainability, and progressive European policies.
• Committee Memberships:
  • Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE):
    Since July 2024, Verougstraete has played a pivotal role in steering discussions on innovation, technology, and energy policies.
  • Member of Delegations:
    • Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
    • Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly
  • Substitute Member of Committees:
    • Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
    • Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
  • Substitute Member of the Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament

Leadership Positions

• Member of the Bureau of the Renew Europe Group:
  Since July 2024, Verougstraete has been a member of the Bureau of Renew Europe, contributing to the group’s strategic direction and decision-making processes.

Current Role in the European Parliament

Yvan Verougstraete serves as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) under the Renew Europe group. His role focuses on promoting innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity across a range of European policies.

Committees and Delegations

• Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
  • Position: Vice-Chair
  • Focus: Leads initiatives on industrial innovation, research development, and energy policy to enhance EU competitiveness and sustainability.
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
  • Position: Substitute Member
  • Focus: Participates in deliberations on environmental protection, public health, and food safety policies.
• Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
  • Position: Substitute Member
  • Focus: Engages in legislative efforts to ensure a fair, efficient, and integrated EU internal market, with an emphasis on consumer rights.
• Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
  • Position: Member
  • Focus: Promotes cooperation with the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States to strengthen global partnerships.
• Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly
  • Position: Member
  • Focus: Works on improving political and economic relations between Africa and the EU.
• Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament
  • Position: Substitute Member
  • Focus: Supports initiatives fostering collaboration between the EU and African nations.

Specific Responsibilities and Areas of Focus

• Industry and Research Leadership:
  • Advocates for innovation in European industries, with a strong focus on digitalization and sustainable energy.
  • Promotes initiatives to enhance the EU’s global competitiveness in research and technology.
• Sustainability and Accessibility:
  • Actively supports projects that ensure accessibility in public spaces and transport systems, particularly for persons with disabilities.

Legislative Initiatives or Contributions

• Disability Rights Strategy:
  • Played a key role in updating the EU Disability Rights Strategy, emphasizing accessibility and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • Advocated for stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure the implementation of disability-inclusive policies.
• Sustainable Energy Legislation:
  • Contributed to debates on transitioning to renewable energy sources, aligning with the EU’s climate goals.

Positions on Key Policies

• Climate Change:
  • Supports policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy systems, aligning with the EU Green Deal objectives.
  • Advocates for investments in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.
• Trade and Digitalization:
  • Encourages innovation in digital technologies to boost European industries.
  • Supports trade policies that prioritize fair competition and access to global markets for European businesses.
• Human Rights and Social Inclusion:
  • Focuses on creating inclusive policies that uphold human rights, with particular attention to the rights of persons with disabilities.
  • Advocates for equal employment opportunities and the removal of barriers to accessibility.

Key Achievements and Contributions

• Strengthened EU-African cooperation through active participation in parliamentary delegations.
• Promoted cross-sector innovation in industry and research, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth.
• Contributed to legislative frameworks ensuring accessibility and social inclusion for marginalized communities.