Vanhecke started his career in Belgian politics as a student by joining the Jong Studentenverbond and later the Nationalistische Studentenvereniging.

After a short term in the Belgian Senate, Vanhecke returned to European politics after the elections in 2004.

When Karel Dillen resigned from his post as chairman of the Vlaams Blok in 1996, Vanhecke was designated as his successor.

Vanhecke left Vlaams Belang in 2011, one of several high profile members at the time to quit the party, and finished the remainder of his term as an MEP as an independent and joined the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.

He subsequently announced his support for the New Flemish Alliance party but was refused membership due to his political past.