Charles Michel studied law at the University of Brussels. Passionate about politics from a young age, Charles Michel decided to run in the elections soon after university. He was elected as a member of the federal parliament in 1999. A year later, he became the Walloon Minister for Interior Affairs and Civil Service, and in 2007, Federal Minister for Development Cooperation. He became the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium in October 2014. On 2 July 2019, EU leaders elected Charles Michel as President of the European Council. He took office on 1 December 2019.