Unknown to many Brussels voters before the elections, Team Fouad Ahidar ended up being one of the biggest winners on Sunday, gaining three seats in its first electoral cycle. But who is the man behind the party and can he silence his critics?
A Muslim with Moroccan roots and now the leader of the second-biggest Dutch-speaking party in the Brussels Parliament, Ahidar is not new to politics but has been involved for over two decades. But this didn't stop him from presenting himself as a refreshing alternative to the status quo, this time running his eponymous party after distancing himself from Vooruit.brussels – his political home for around 15 years.
"Critics didn't expect us to do well and there were definitely doubts whether we would even make it into Parliament," Ahidar told The Brussels Times. "But we didn't just get one seat, we won three; plus one in the Flemish parliament, which I think is an achievement we can be happy with. Sunday was a clear success."
Team Fouad Ahidar scored remarkably, winning 16.5% of all votes among Dutch-speaking parties in Brussels and ending in second place behind Groen. Ahidar beat his former party Vooruit, which received just 10.1% of votes. The party even won the most votes in the Dutch-speaking electoral college in Anderlecht and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.
In addition to Ahidar himself, Najima El Arbaoui and Ilyas El Omari (also on the Team Fouad Ahidar list) won seats in the Brussels Parliament.
A man of the people
When asked the key to his Sunday success, Ahidar echoed the sentiment of many voters: "People were fed up with the traditional parties and obviously thought they weren't fresh and innovative... I admit that I was also in politics for years, but people looked at me and my new party and found in us an alternative to this 'Same old'."
He argued that his experience as a parliamentarian proved that he is capable of helping his voters. "People also recognise that I'm authentic. I have never put myself above others. I still cycle through Brussels every day, I take the tram like everyone else, and I go down to my local frequently. I also help people deal with daily practicalities. That makes people trust me."
Ahidar successfully ran on priorities for Brussels' substantial Muslim community. This includes the controversial topic of ritual slaughter (he defends the slaughter of unstunned animals) and defending the right for government employees to wear a headscarf. He also takes a strong pro-Palestinian stance. However, Ahidar pushed back at criticism that his party only serves this community.
Ahidar pictured during a reception at the Brussels' City Hall in 2022. Credit: Belga/ Jonas Roossens
"Some people seem adamant to put us in this 'Muslim' box and make this our niche," Ahidar said. He noted that the party's three lists include people from 16 different nationalities. "There are people with Moroccan roots, but also of Bulgarian, Chinese and Thai origin. By including people of all backgrounds in our party we could also appeal to different groups in society. I think this reflects the Brussels reality."
He argued that the party's other priorities – for instance purchasing power and housing – concern Brussels residents more broadly. But the media gives him less credit on these topics. "I have always said I work for everyone. I am also a Muslim man and I want to defend religious freedom, the right to believe, but also not to believe. But people always want to push our party into the same corner."
If Ahidar is included in the Brussels Government, one of his main priorities will be housing, which he says is one of the "biggest problems facing Brussels". He highlights that some people can't afford to pay their rent, "even when working several jobs".
He promises to propose rent allowances for vulnerable households, conformity certificates to check the quality of existing housing and a database where people can see where they are on the waiting list for social housing. He cites the oft-mentioned "one million square metres of vacant office space in Brussels" which he would work to urgently turn into (social) housing.
The Brussels coalition puzzle
Whether Team Fouad Ahidar ends up part of the next Brussels Government remains to be seen. First, the biggest parties in the French and Dutch language groups (MR and Groen) will each seek a majority, after which they will begin negotiations on a Brussels coalition agreement.
Coalition talks among Dutch-speaking parties in Brussels are expected to start on Wednesday. Groen – the largest Dutch-speaking party in the region – has the right of initiative to start formation talks. Its leader Elke Van den Brandt will start discussions with the leaders of the parties, her cabinet confirmed to The Brussels Times.
As the second-largest Dutch-speaking party, Ahidar will be the first to talk with Van den Brandt. "I have received a message from Van den Brandt that I may speak with her tomorrow," he said.
Data: Home Affairs Ministry. Credit: The Brussels Times
Team Fouad Ahidar is the obvious choice if a coalition of three is sought. However, professor of political science (VUB) Dave Sinardet told The Brussels Times that it might be tricky for Groen to commit to a five-year coalition with this newcomer and the unknowns it presents. Sinardet points to various topics that could be contentious if the two teamed up.
But Ahidar played down the differences: "It will be an interesting conversation, I am sure. In any case, the minister is intelligent and knows what is best for Brussels. We just have to try to find a middle way and will likely have to compromise on certain themes."
Another scenario could see Team Fouad Ahidar cut out of proceedings by a coalition of four Dutch-speaking partners: Groen, Open VLD, CD&V and Vooruit). But with only two Dutch-speaking ministers and one Dutch-speaking Secretary of State in the Brussels government, this would leave one of the four without a mandate. Additionally, Open VLD has said it will not join in on any future governments.
The puzzle becomes even more complex when it comes to forming a Brussels coalition with French-speaking parties. From defending purchasing power to the future of Good Move, "There would likely be tough discussions and concessions and compromises will have to be made," Ahidar acknowledges.
Difficult relationships
One shadow over Ahidar's victory has been his fraught relationship with his former party Vooruit. He left the party in December in response to racist statements made by then-party leader Conner Rousseau. Ahidar says that the episode illuminated the gap between his personal principles and Vooruit.
However, Ahidar's stance on ritual slaughter had caused his relations with the party leadership to sour for some time. He was expelled from party office in 2022 for going against the party line and voting against a ban on this practice in Brussels. He again clashed with the party leadership in November 2023 – one month before his resignation – when saying the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack in Israel was "a small reaction by a part of Hamas". This saw him strongly rebuked by Rousseau.
Six months after his resignation, the differences with his former party have clearly not been resolved. In an interview with Radio 1 and Bruzz, Vooruit.brussels MP Hannelore Goeman acknowledged the success of Ahidar and his ability to represent a strong group of voters. But she attacked her former colleague, saying his party waged a strong anti-Vooruit campaign that used "fake news and lies in WhatsApp groups" to portray Vooruit as "racist".
Ahidar says that these are blatant lies. "[Vooruit] lost the elections and they are trying to pin that on me by saying I campaigned against them. I have not done so; quite the contrary, and they know that all too well." Vooruit's leadership has not commented on his response.
"Where would I find the time and energy to speak ill of them? Do they really believe I have the power to destroy a party that has been in power for so long?" Ahidar continued. "I focused on my own campaign. We have seen people vote for Team Fouad Ahidar, not for Vooruit. When I run using my own name, people vote for me and say: 'Finally, all along, we only wanted to vote for you'."
