 He was burgomaster of Diest (1947–1955 and 1974–1976), liberal senator (1954–1974), president of the Liberal Party (1961) and president and founder of the PVV-PLP (1961–1969).In the new party programme of the PVV-PLP, the traditional anticlericalism of the liberal party was renounced.This new organization achieved success at the parliamentary elections of 1965 and gained 48 seats (compared to the 20 gained in 1961).