interview
In Tienen, Jonathan Holslag, leader of the new local party Durf, has become the largest. “I still have to scratch my head.”
His party has been around for less than a year and a half. And yet Jonathan Holslag, professor of international politics at the VUB, has managed to become the largest in Tienen.
You get 29 percent with Dare. What score did you expect?
“Definitely not this result. I thought: 15 percent would be very nice. But this is unexpected. I still have to scratch my head because I can’t believe it.”
Will you be the next mayor of Tienen? Or will you remain a professor?
“My promise was clear: if I get the most votes, I will take over as mayor. And so I will take political leave for the next six years and focus on the city full-time.”
Read more about the municipal elections
“In Tienen, confidence in politics is low. Only 20 percent have confidence in local government. Only 60 percent went to vote on Sunday. A large part of the residents have therefore dropped out. This requires people who are committed to the city. I will sit at the table with a lot of people in twenty neighborhoods and listen.”
What can Tienen expect from you, a right-wing or a left-wing policy?
“We choose the center. The undercurrent in Tienen is on the right. Many Tienen residents are concerned about the influx of people from outside Europe. We want to strengthen the ties between new and old Tienen residents with neighborhood projects.”
Would you like to collaborate with Vlaams Belang?
“No dogmas apply to me. You have to talk to everyone, even those with whom you will not form a coalition.”
