Elections 2024: Outgoing prime minister to become mayor of East Flemish municipality

Outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo, of Flemish liberal party Open VLD, will become the new mayor of his hometown of Brakel in East Flanders. He formed a coalition with Broakel 2.0, an alliance of CD&V and N-VA.
Open VLD had secured 43.2 per cent of the votes in Brakel, accounting for 13 of the 25 seats. De Croo obtained 2,300 preferential votes, allowing him to become mayor.
Despite having an absolute majority, Open VLD decided to form a coalition. “I received the right of initiative and respected to the maximum the voters’ choice to form a coalition with the second-largest party, Broakel 2.0, which gained 6 seats,” De Croo wrote on Facebook. Together, the parties have a comfortable majority of 19 out of 25 seats.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with our strong team to make a difference for all Brakelaars in the coming years,” added De Croo. “Our team combines experience with fresh ideas, and you can feel that. The agreement we have reached really puts our residents at the centre. We will continue to invest in a safe, clean and hospitable municipality, where everyone feels at home. Together we will build a Brakel that is ready for the future, without losing sight of our roots.”
#FlandersNewsService | Prime minister Alexander De Croo sits underneath a television screen showing electoral news at cafe 't Bierpotje after he went voting earlier in Brakel, 09 June 2024 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK