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
- Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE):
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.