Els van Doesburg (N-VA) was sworn in as acting mayor of Antwerp on Monday evening, replacing party colleague Bart De Wever, who cannot serve as both mayor and prime minister at the same time.
Van Doesburg, who previously served as alderman for Social Affairs and Healthcare, will also act as interim chair of the city council.
Bart De Wever, in a familiar role as council chairman, briefly opened the session before stepping down. He formally acknowledged his own inability to continue as mayor and oversaw Van Doesburg’s swearing-in ceremony. “That’s done,” he remarked succinctly.
After transferring the council chair's gavel to Van Doesburg, De Wever managed a wry smile. “You are now rid of me, and I will take my place among the other council members,” said the newly appointed prime minister. “Good luck under the new leadership!”
Van Doesburg began attending to the rest of the council’s agenda without pausing to reflect on her new role.
“The swearing-in will be the ‘easiest’ part of the entire mayoralty,” Van Doesburg commented just before the session started. “It’s a symbolic moment, although it feels bittersweet because we now have to share Bart De Wever with the rest of the country. But that will also be beneficial for Antwerp.”
Van Doesburg is currently 24 weeks pregnant and plans to be replaced by alderman Koen Kennis during her maternity leave this summer.
