MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere quits politics

Belgian MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere is quitting national and international politics, he announced on Thursday. The Flemish Christian democrat said on Facebook that it was time for "new opportunities" and more time for his family.

"The year-end period is a good time to think, including for myself, about what I want to do when I turn 40 next year. I have decided for myself not to stand as a candidate in the Flemish, federal and European elections on 9 June," said Vandenkendelaere. 

"It is with this fond memory that I will soon say goodbye to supra-local political work in order to face new opportunities"

Vandenkendelaere has served two terms as an MEP. "Thanks to two successive terms in the European Parliament over the past nine years, I have been able to translate my love for Europe into political work at the heart of our European democracy, always with dedication and authenticity," said Vandenkendelaere.

"It is with this fond memory that I will soon say goodbye to supra-local political work in order to face new opportunities, in a new and different life, with more time for my family."

Vandenkendelaere's Christian democratic party CD&V announced in October that former party leader and former minister Wouter Beke would head its European electoral list in 2024.

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