Elections 2024: Negotiator and candidate, to be or not to be a party, and more

Local elections will take place at municipal and provincial levels in Belgium on Sunday, 13 October. In the run-up to the vote, Belga English explores the main issues to watch out for and provides a daily overview of events.

-The 13 October elections come shortly after the 9 June elections for the regional, national and European parliaments. So close, not all governments have been formed yet. Negotiating is still ongoing for the federal, the Flemish and the Brussels governments. ​ Although … ‘ongoing’ is a bit exaggerated. It’s difficult to compromise when you are trying to convince voters of your strong profile. De Morgen lists the negotiators at different regional and national levels, that are now also candidate to become major of their home town. All important N-VA negotiators want to become major. All the presidents of the other parties negotiating a federal government also. Just as most senior Belgian politicians. All are campaigning, all are negotiating.

-De Standaard has another example of how things go in Belgian politics. The Flemish liberals of Open VLD suffered a major defeat during the June-elections. Now, nearly all local lists of Flemish liberals have another name than Open VLD. ‘Team Major’ seems to be the most popular alternative to avoid a link with the ‘loser’ Open VLD. To be fair, this is not only the case for Open VLD. Also in other parties, local politicians avoid being perceived as part of an unpopular national party. Many local lists carry names that should sound more sympathetic.

-Winning the sympathy of the voter is essential, a lesson well understood by Zoubida Jellab, second on the list of Ecolo for the city of Brussels and at present alderman for animal welfare. She just launched a subsidy for dog owners. They get 50 euros if they go to training sessions with their dog, with a maximum of three dogs per person. This will improve security and well-being, Jellab says. Others might point to the huge budget deficits of all Belgian authorities.

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