The far-right list Forza Ninove, led by Guy D’haeseleer (Vlaams Belang) won the absolute majority of votes in Ninove. He therefore became the first far-right mayor. It is a historical fact. How to explain this situation?
47.4% of the votes is the score obtained by the Vlaams Belang list in Ninove, thus obtaining an absolute majority. The outgoing mayor, Tania De Jonge, was elected under the Open-VLD label.
This shift, according to specialist journalist Christophe Deborsu, is due to several elements. “First of all, there is the figure of mayor, Guy D’haeseleer, who is a champion of assistance and even assistantship”says the policy expert. The latter explains in particular having met a woman during election day, this Sunday, October 13, who would have found a house “thanks to Guy”. In the commune, everyone actually calls the newly elected mayor by his first name.
Projects that speak
Guy D’haeseleer’s popularity is also based on the founding of the “Vlaams Huis”, replacing “A little” the People’s House, which had until then disappeared. “He took up old socialist methods like ‘I help you so you vote for me'”underlines Christophe Deborsu. “Obviously it’s working.”
The new mayor, during his campaign, promised many projects to voters, such as a new sports hall, a rest home, more police officers. “It’s St. Nicholas before his time, and apparently some people believe in the Great Saint.”
What explains this historic victory of the far right in Ninove is also the complex economic context. “The region has been lagging behind since the disappearance of textiles”recalls the journalist. “In very rich Flanders, being less financially comfortable is perhaps more difficult than elsewhere.” This situation can thus create “frustrations”which push citizens to turn to extremes.
“The Flemish soul”
Finally, one of the keys to the success of Vlaams Belang is the massive arrival of French-speaking Brussels residents in the municipality. “Many of them settled there, which means that Ninove would have lost its Flemish soul. analyzes Christophe Deborsu.
municipal elections 2024 municipal elections ninove
