Lhe participation rate, much lower than expected on Sunday in the first local elections in Flanders without compulsory voting, focused criticism from editorialists in the north of the country on Monday morning. “Democracy does not emerge strengthened”, “it was stupidity”, they write.
“More than a third of voters, and in some places almost half, do not care who will govern them over the next six years,” notes Karel Verhoeven in De Standaard. “No one would have dared to think that there would be so many citizens who would give up their right to vote as soon as the threat of a fine disappeared. »
“Abolishing the voting requirement was simply stupid,” writes Liesbeth Van Impe in Het Nieuwsblad. In many municipalities, the relationship has become strained between citizens and politics.” With a participation rate of around 60%, a mayor with a narrow majority is de facto assured of the support of only a third of voters, she calculates.
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“Black Sunday”
“In a way, it was a black Sunday. Politicians have not managed to generate enough enthusiasm to vote,” notes Isolde Van den Eynde in Het Laatste Nieuws. “The apathy was visible to everyone. For the first time, these elections were those of empty sports halls and absent voters. »
Isolde Van den Eynde points out that some politicians have apparently not been on the ground enough to mobilize their voters. “Who stayed at home?” Ask Tom Van Grieken and he will tell you: his constituents. Ask Jos D’Haese and he will tell you: his voters.” “But those of Bart De Wever and Guy D’haeseleer did not stay at home. »
“It is likely that it was the PTB and Vlaams Belang which especially lost votes due to the removal of the voting obligation,” writes Kris Vanmarsenille in the Gazet van Antwerpen. “But whatever it is, the fact that so many Flemish people do not want to participate in the celebration of democracy and therefore do not have a say in the policies of their city or municipality. It undermines the joy of elections. »
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Democracy shaken
“This removal of compulsory voting is a political experiment which does not necessarily improve democracy,” confirms Indra Dewitte in Het Belang van Limburg. “It seems that it was mainly young people and socially vulnerable groups who did not show up” at the polling stations. “It is regrettable and worrying. »
“What did all these politicians and their supporters imagine? That such a fundamental change in electoral rules would have no impact? The fact that a third of voters withdraw as soon as compulsory voting is abolished is entirely in line with expectations,” denounces Bart Eeckhout in De Morgen. “This cannot in any way be considered a gain for democracy. »
On the Tijd website, Isabel Albers mainly focuses on the electoral victory of Vlaams Belang Guy D’haeseleer with Forza Ninove. “Twenty years after the conviction of the former Vlaams Blok, there is for the first time a far-right administration in our country,” she writes. “Guy D’haeseleer will now have to prove that Vlaams Belang can do something other than shoot from the opposition by betting on social problems. Running a city is a whole different thing. »
“The danger of extremes and populism must not be trivialized, but the success (of Vlaams Belang) in Ninove does not mean that the dam against the extreme right has been broken throughout Flanders,” according to Isabel Albers. “Particularly in cities where governance has been good, such as Louvain, Bruges or Antwerp, the outgoing mayors have managed to make further progress and gain the upper hand over the extremes. »
