Alexander De Croo seeks top job at UN Development Programme
Former Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo is a candidate for the position of administrator at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This was confirmed by De Croo's spokesperson to Belga on Tuesday, after De Morgen broke the news.
Following lengthy negotiations after the 2019 general election, De Croo became head of the Vivaldi government. De Croo, a Belgian liberal, had an affinity for international politics and built close relationships with European colleagues such as former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
However, De Croo's government was unpopular with the Belgian public. His party, Open VLD, suffered a devastating defeat in last year's elections and retreated to the opposition. De Croo, meanwhile, settled for a role as a member of the House of Representatives and mayor of his hometown, Brakel.
Nevertheless, it appears that the former Belgian prime minister may return to international politics. On Tuesday, De Morgen reported that De Croo is one of the candidates for the position of administrator at the UN Development Programme.
De Croo's spokesman, Barend Leyts, confirmed that the former prime minister will travel to New York on Wednesday to defend his candidacy. Leyts emphasised that De Croo had been approached for the position and that, as a former minister for Development Cooperation, he is well qualified for the job.
Belgian backing
Leyts added that De Croo enjoys the support of the current federal government. He will be the second Belgian candidate for a top UN job to be backed by prime minister Bart De Wever: former Migration state secretary Nicole de Moor is in the running to lead the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Next to De Croo, four or five other names are currently being circulated, including candidates from Denmark and Norway. It is said that the Belgian's main competition comes from within the UN itself.
Before the new UNDP administrator is chosen, a thorough selection process must be completed. The current UNDP head, Brazilian-German Achim Steiner, will officially leave his position in mid-June after serving two four-year terms.
© BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
Related news
