Welle, who served as Secretary-General from 2009 to 2022, joined the Martens Centre’s Academic Council in November 2022. He is also a Guest Professor in practice at the London School of Economics and a Visiting Professor at KU Leuven. Welle will perform his duties as Chair on a pro-bono basis.
Mikuláš Dzurinda, President of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, congratulated Welle on his appointment, expressing excitement about the strategic policy initiatives Welle will help develop. These initiatives will guide the Martens Centre’s activities and the reflection of the European centre-right. Dzurinda also thanked the former Chair of the Academic Council, Dr. Werner Fasslabend, for his exceptional service since 2008.
In his acceptance remarks, Welle thanked President Dzurinda, the Executive Board, and his predecessor Dr. Fasslabend. He expressed his eagerness to work with the Council to inspire decision-makers at the European and national level. Welle emphasized his vision of Christian Democracy as a means of bringing balance to society, which he plans to incorporate into the Council’s work.
The Academic Council of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies consists of distinguished academics and researchers who aim to expand the Centre’s academic scope and oversee the scientific standards of its research, studies, and activities. As the new Chair, Welle succeeds Werner Fasslabend, former Austrian Minister of Defence and President of the National Council, who had held the position since 2008.
