From 1976 till 1981, he worked at the Kredietbank as economist. In the meantime, he was elected in 1977 as national president of the Christian People's Party (CVP) youth wing (now CD&V).
From 1976 through 1981, he held an economist position at Kredietbank. During this time, in 1977, he was chosen to be the national president of the Christian People's Party (CVP) youth wing (now CD&V).