The Flemish Socialist Party Vooruit has projected its election campaign slogan on various buildings around Belgium, including the headquarters of the far-right party Vlaams Belang in Brussels (Madou Square).
The message promotes the socialists as the "sole alternative to the far-right", says party leader Melissa Depraetere.
Other buildings that were virtually "tagged" include the Flemish regional administration building located beside Gand-Saint-Pierre train station. The slogan, loosely translated as "forward", states "Het is Vooruit. Of het is achteruit" ("It's Forward. Or it's backwards") suggesting that not voting for the socialists would be a step back for Flemish citizens.
The strategically placed slogan reflects growing public concern that future generations may face more daily struggles, explains Depraetere, while cautioning against the potential rise of far-right power: "A far-right government is no longer fantasy in Flanders," Depraetere warns. "Wherever the far right is in power, the prosperity, freedom and security of citizens suffer. Just look at the atrocious war scenes in Gaza, or closer to us, what Meloni is doing in Italy."
C’est vous et personne d’autre qui choisirez à quoi ressemblera l’avenir. Et ce choix est très simple.
Avancer avec https://t.co/XhGhorqTld. Ou reculer. C’est à vous de choisir. pic.twitter.com/Hu3PwUdQZ1 — Vooruit.brussels (@Vooruitbrussels) January 18, 2024
According to the latest Ipsos poll in December, voting intentions for Vooruit had slightly decreased since September 2023, but the socialists were still in third place, behind a dominant Vlaams Belang and the N-VA.
