Blunt Belgian

By Els Samyn - 24.09.2009 / 07:50 CET

For few other commissioners is Brussels as natural a political home as it is for Karel De Gucht. But he is also looking for a bigger job in the next Commission.

Please log in to read this article:

Don't have a login yet?

Discover your benefits and register for free now! It only takes a minute.

Subscribe to European Voice for €15 per month

Commission reshuffles senior management

Changes follow retirement of Dirk Ahner.

Commission's development plans thrown into disarray

Commission demands action from regional government to reduce traffic on rue de la Loi.

Too important to move?

Senior management change jobs, but no move for Catherine Day.

Karel De Gucht as seen by Marco Villard.

Fact file

1954:             Born, Overmere
1976:             Degree in law, Vrije Universiteit
                      Brussel
1977-79:       Chairman, Young Liberal Party
1980-94:       Member of the European Parliament
1985-88        Vice-chairman, Flemish Party for
                      Freedom and Progress
1991-:            Teacher of European law at Vrije
                       Universiteit Brussel
1995-2003:   Member of the Flemish parliament
1999-2004:   Chairman, Flemish Liberals
                      and Democrats
2003-09:       Member of the federal parliament
2004-09:       Minister of foreign affairs
2007:             Mayor of Berlane
2008:             Deputy prime minister
2009-:            European commissioner for
                       development and humanitarian aid