From “magnificent” to “gigantic wake-up call”: the first Belgian political reactions to Trump’s victory

Donald Trump’s victory has now been won, but even before the victory was official, Belgian politicians had already prepared the first reactions. So was Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) was quick to congratulate “president-elect Trump” in English on X, the medium of Trump’s supporter, the American billionaire Elon Musk. De Croo looks forward to strengthening the “transatlantic alliance” in order to respond to global challenges and safeguard prosperity. Quite a few followers read De Croo’s tweet as an ironic, or hypocritical, statement.

Also Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) already sent congratulations to Trump. “It is clear to Flanders: we want to continue to collaborate in optimal terms with the strongest economy in the world. The United States remains one of the most important trading partners for Flanders outside the European Union. We continue to focus on good (trade) relations with a historic ally.”

The cries of jubilation at Vlaams Belang are certainly not ironic. The far-right party sees Trump’s victory as a clear signal, although it sounds vague: “If the political elite does not listen to the population, the common man will strike back,” said a press release. Antwerp leaders speak on social media Filip Dewinter of a “brilliant victory against the mainstream media, the politically correct elite and woke current.”

Green: “Giant wake-up call”

Obviously the tone is completely different on the left. Outgoing co-chairman Jeremie Vaneeckhout speaks of a gigantic wake-up call. “Democracy/the rule of law is not suddenly overthrown, but is demolished stone by stone. The election of Trump painfully exposes this. Crucial to continue to clearly defend democratic values ​​worldwide. And tackle the real challenges,” he reports on X.

The same tone with the PS chairman Paul Magnettewhich immediately indicates that the French-speaking socialists will remain on the “front line” to defend democracy and freedoms, as well as women’s rights, social protection and the climate. “We will be on the front lines together with the Palestinians and Ukrainians. Hope is always stronger than fear, justice always triumphs over hate.”

These reactions then lead to a counter reaction from the MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez. “Instead of commenting or even complaining for some, Europe should use this election as an opportunity to take its destiny into its own hands with a real strategy for autonomy in industry, agriculture, defense and energy, in perfect cooperation with our allies, including the United States. Democracy has spoken, it is up to Europeans to think of Europe’s interests without naivety.”