This October 13, it will not be a socialist vigilance commission which will decide the fate of the mayor, but the voters. Following the exclusion, the local PS literally imploded. Two lists, left over from that of 2018, will therefore be in the running: that of the outgoing mayor who brings with him around fifteen candidates from the PS list of the last municipal elections, and the official list of the PS led by the first alderman Philippe Boïketé. The latter kept five other running mates from 2018.
Mayor’s list displayed on the website of the municipality of Saint-Josse: the regional authority transfers the file to the Brussels public prosecutor’s office
The socialists also lost Safa Akyol, Emir Kir’s right-hand man in 2023, but also more recently Nezahat Namli. The one who had chosen the socialist clan after the exclusion of the mayor, finally joined the ranks… of the mayor.
In what could have the appearance of a duel, other teams intend to make themselves essential. Ecolo Groen won 25.22% of the votes in the last municipal elections. But the context was then green tide also elsewhere than in Saint-Josse. In 6 years, things have changed. The head of the list Zoé Genot has left politics. It is the former MP Ahmed Mouhssin who will therefore lead the Greens. In addition, environmentalists were badly beaten in the regional elections last June. The fact remains that their position is clear: the Greens, like the socialists, are categorical. There is no question of negotiating with the Mayor’s list. The goal: to bring down Kir.
A hegemonic LB for 40 years
Some are less categorical like the Team Fouad Ahidar list. The newcomers to the Tennood electoral landscape are led by Ibrahim Dankuş. The objective is somewhat ambitious “we are aiming for the mayorate,” but failing that “we want our place in the municipal college”, and therefore in the majority. The neo party, however, does not put forward a privileged partner. In any case, this arrival could grab votes from the left-wing parties.
The neighborhood market returns to its initial form in Saint-Josse after tense discussions in council, “it will be a market for everyone, from low prices to organic”
Another list which is entering the battlefield: the Engagés associated with the MR, led by Saïd Benhammou who is also aiming for a majority place. It is difficult to see this formation rising with Ecolo and, for many, it will be a natural partner of the outgoing mayor. Indeed among the members of the LB we find in particular Safa Akyol, who announced a few months ago to move to the MR and Ismael Luahabi, 22nd on the regional liberal list last June.
New Georges Petre stadium: the municipality of Evere files an appeal against the Saint-Josse project
One thing is certain, since 1982, the mayor’s list, led by Guy Cudell at the time (one of Emir Kir’s mentors), has not fallen below 40% in municipal elections. But with the arrival of Team Ahidar and without a socialist armband, Emir Kir could lose a few feathers, and, at the same time, the absolute majority of seats on the council that he obtained on the evening of October 14, 2018. Enough to spice up the local politics of this town adjoining the Gare du Nord and where the issues of multiculturalism, cleanliness and security are at the heart of the programs.
A deal to seal the enmity
Emir Kir had obtained his absolute majority in 2018. However, the conflict with the PS caused the mayor to lose his majority on one issue: the Northern district market. Requested by residents, it was implemented at the end of 2023, on Saturdays. Ecolo then denounced the presence of products other than food creating, according to them, unfair competition with the traders on rue de Brabant. They also criticized the day chosen which did not allow workers in the neighborhood to take advantage of it while blocking traffic. And the Ecolos then found an unexpected ally… in the majority. The socialists followed the greens, thus forming an alternative majority and forcing the mayor to review his copy. Finally, at the beginning of 2024, the mayor returns with a new version of the market regulations, slightly modified compared to the very first and which will be approved.
