After the independence of Belgium, he became provincial governor in West Flanders (1830β1831), member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for the arrondissement of Bruges (1831β1848), and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the first Belgian government.
After the inauguration of Leopold I as king in 1831, he became the third Prime Minister until 1832.
Afterwards, he became again provincial governor for West-Flanders (1832β1834, 1836β1849) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1834β1836, 1841).
From 1850 until his death in 1862 in his birthplace Pittem, he was member of the Chamber for the arrondissement of Tielt.