On a personal level, Philippe Close achieved a better score than in 2018: 9,042 votes. Remember that the City of Brussels gained 15,000 inhabitants under this legislature. The socialist is well ahead of his direct competitor David Weytsman (MR +), who still convinced 6,108 voters, an exceptional score for a liberal in the City of Brussels. Outgoing alderwoman Faouzia Hariche completes the podium with 3,227 votes while with 2,638 votes, the head of the list Fouad Ahidar Mourad Maimouni is close behind Karine Lalieux (2,808 votes). The first Ecolo Bart Dhondt (Ecolo/Groen) obtains 2319 votes, his head of list Benoit Hellings only 1403 votes.
The rout of Défi upsets the balances announced in Brussels. Already, it makes the center-right coalition announced a few weeks ago (MR +/Les Engagés/Défi) impossible. Likewise, the renewal of a PS/Ecolo coalition is not possible without a third partner. It would only obtain 22 seats out of 49. Embracing Les Engagés would offer too weak a majority to the PS: 25 seats out of 49. The PS and the MR seem condemned to piloting the Belgian capital together, with Les Engagés, who therefore seem destined for a return to the majority. A coalition of the left could lead to a large majority. Together, PS, PTB, Fouad Ahidar and Ecolo would obtain 34 seats. It nevertheless seems impossible that the PS will agree with the PTB or the candidate of the Ahidar team.
With his “historic score for the MR”, David Weytsman announced last night that he was still applying for mayor even if he was beaten by Philippe Close. “Brussels voters expressed their desire for change during the municipal elections this Sunday. All the parties of the outgoing majority, the PS-Vooruit, Écolo-Groen and Défi, suffered a significant setback,” explains the head of the MR + list. “Under these conditions, the MR + reaffirms its intention to take the lead in forming the coalition around David Weytsman, mayoral candidate of the city of Brussels, driven by the desire for change expressed by all Brussels residents.”
On the Ecolo side, we are delighted to have almost stabilized its results. And urges Philippe Close to respect his pre-election declarations.
Live results on the City of Brussels: “the outgoing mayor must now make a choice: he has the opportunity, as he announced, to build a progressive majority. With the rebound of environmentalists in the City of Brussels, It’s possible. The ball is now in the socialist court.”
