[1] He represented the Nord department, and was a member of the Socialiste, radical, citoyen et divers gauche.

In 1982, he was appointed Head of Private Office for Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy.

His portfolios included: Labour, Social Affairs, Transport, and the Public Service.

From 1999 until 2008, Michel Delebarre chaired the largest French Association of Social Housing (Union Sociale pour l'Habitat) representing 820 local branches with a 5 mln rental housing stock.

Involved in the wiretap scandal (President François Mitterrand and Jean-Edern Hallier), he was condemned by justice in 2005.

[3] In February 2006 he was elected President of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union (CoR).

Electoral mandates National Assembly of France Member of the National Assembly of France for Nord (French department) (13th constituency) : 1986–1988 (Became minister in 1988) / 1997–1998 (Resignation) / 2002–2011 (Elected senator).