He served as a deputy until August 1972, when he vacated his seat following his nomination as a member of the government.

[1] On 2 October 1998, Poncelet was elected by the Senate as its President in a third round of voting.

The previous President of the Senate, René Monory, had withdrawn after the first round of voting.

[5] In 2000, Poncelet was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

[7] Poncelet was born in Blaise (now part of Vouziers) in the Ardennes.