SophieWilmès

Born in Ixelles in 1975, Sophie Wilmès holds a degree in applied communication from IHECS and in financial management from ISC Saint-Louis. She worked in advertising before completing a traineeship at the European Commission, in a financial management unit.

A municipal councillor in Uccle from 2000 to 2006, she became alderwoman for Finance in Sint-Genesius-Rode in 2007. She also sat on the provincial council of Flemish Brabant, before entering the Chamber of Representatives in October 2014.

On 22 September 2015, she became federal Minister for the Budget. In October 2019, she became Belgium's first female Prime Minister, leading the country through the Covid-19 crisis. From October 2020 to July 2022, she served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Elected to the European Parliament in June 2024, she became one of its Vice-Presidents in July 2024. She is currently a Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the European Parliament, sitting with the Renew Europe group. She was appointed Minister of State in May 2026.