A Dutch-speaking elected official leaves open VLD to join Georges-Louis Bouchez: “Pending a Flemish MR”
The first alderman of Courtrai, Wout Waddens, decided that he would not renew his member card of the Open VLD. Instead, it has affiliated to French -speaking liberals “pending a Flemish MR”.
The alderman is no longer recognized in the Open VLD line. “I took the time to assess years of liberal management and I came to the conclusion that the party could not respect the ideals it had set for itself or keep the promises made to the voters” , he explains.
The too many “escapades” within the party prevented him from remaining “credible politically”, according to the elected official. “After 25 years of uninterrupted participation in governments, if we have failed to implement an essential part of its program, it is a failure,” he said.
“Pending a Flemish MR”, he therefore rallies to this French -speaking party.
The alderman does not intend to create a Flemish branch of the party of Georges-Louis Bouchez himself. “It’s not up to me to do so. I am a fervent defender of the idea, but I have too much work at the local level,” he said.
Georges-Louis Bouchez intends to remain actor in Brussels negotiations
For his role of alderman in Kortrijk, nothing will change, he assures. “Since 2018, we have been forming a citizen list and it is above all a project for the city. My commitment to Kortrijk remains the same.”
