{
    "title": "Belgium\u2019s liberal party Anders approves new rules to renew itself",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-06 18:22:39",
    "published_at": "2026-06-06 18:22:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/belgiums-liberal-party-anders-approves-new-rules-to-renew-itself",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/NjId",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "belgiums-liberal-party-anders-approves-new-rules-to-renew-itself",
    "body": "<p><strong>The Flemish liberal party Anders, formerly known as Open VLD, has approved new party rules aimed at bringing in new people and modernising how the party works.</strong></p><p>Members voted in favour of the changes at a party meeting in Hasselt on Saturday. Party leader Frederic De Gucht said the reforms mark a complete break with the past. &ldquo;Today we have literally buried the VLD,&rdquo; he told members.</p><p>One of the biggest changes is that people who are not party members can now take part in discussions. Supporters can register as &ldquo;MedestAnders&rdquo; (&ldquo;fellow Anders&rdquo;), while outside experts and critics can also be invited to challenge the party&rsquo;s ideas and provide feedback.</p><p>The party is also creating a new advisory body called the Mirror Council, made up of party members and registered supporters. The group will regularly change its members and is designed to bring fresh perspectives.</p><p>Anders wants to encourage political renewal. Under the new rules, at least one of the top two candidates on each parliamentary election list must be someone who has never held a national elected office before. The party is also introducing measures to give younger members a stronger voice in its leadership.</p><p>A proposed ban on combining a government position with a seat in parliament was ultimately rejected. De Gucht said members concluded that voters, rather than party rules, should decide who can hold elected office.</p><p>The reforms follow the party&rsquo;s rebranding earlier this year. In January, Open VLD changed its name to Anders, which means &ldquo;Different&rdquo; in Dutch. The party hopes the new identity and rules will help it recover after poor election results in 2024 and attract more voters ahead of the next elections in 2029.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>#FlandersNewsService | \u200b &copy; BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
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}