Ducarme started his political career in 1974, when he became national chairman of the Belgian liberal students association. He was amongst others municipal councillor, mayor of Thuin, a parliamentarian at regional, federal and European level, Minister-President of the Brussels Capital regional government and President of the Parti Réformateur et Libéral, which under his leadership, joined forces with two smaller parties, the Front Démocratique des Francophones and the Mouvement des Citoyens pour le Changement, to establish the Mouvement Réformateur.

ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP: ”Daniel Ducarme was a passionate politician alternating wild dreams and very rational analyses. He had the typical maverick charm. He battled his illness with great fortitude and courage, but lost the battle and leaves us much too soon. “

President of the Mouvement Réformateur and Deputy Prime Minister, Didier Reynders: “He was a true unifier, both for our party and in his other functions.”

C'était un véritable rassembleur. Tant au sein de notre parti, [puisque c'est lui qui a porté le Mouvement Réformateur sur les fonds baptismaux,] que dans ses autres fonctions fédérales

Former MR President Louis Michel MEP: “I lost a friend, a compagnon of a long human and political adventure. Daniel was a sensible man, generous intelligent and an engaged humanist.”