He was provincial Council member for East Flanders (1891–1898), burgomaster of Ghent (1895–1921) and a member of parliament (1900–1925) for the liberal party. While he was burgomaster, the World Fair of Ghent took place in 1913-1914. Emile Braun was raised to nobility in 1922. The people from Ghent gave him the nickname "Miele Zoetekoeke" i.e. Emile sweet-cake.