Millions of Belgians headed to the polls on Sunday 9 June to vote in the federal, regional and European elections. From people queuing at polling stations to politicians posing as they cast their votes, here are the highlights caught on camera.
Waiting in line
From 08:00 on Sunday, people headed to polling stations across the country. Several hours after opening, queues were already forming, with some voters waiting several hours before entering booths.
People queuing in a sports hall in De Pinte, East Flanders. Credit: Belga/ James Arthur Gekiere
Queuing in Schaerbeek. Credit: The Brussels Times
The young and the old
For the first time in Belgium, 16 and 17 year-olds were eligible to vote in the European elections, with 244,957 called to booths. Some organisers said that the additional voters contributed to the queues seen at some polling stations.
A teenager casting her vote. Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
Older voters were also visible, with some resting their legs as they waited their turn.
Elderly man waiting to vote in Vilvoorde. Credit: Belga/ Tom Goyvaerts
Two elderly ladies queue in line at a polling station in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
What were the leaders up to?
Not only was it a momentous day for voting but Sunday also marked Fathers' Day in Belgium. Several of the nation's key political figures were pictured with their families on the sunny day, before the political groups gathered later in the day as results came in.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) goes jogging with his wife Annik Penders and their dog after voting. Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
Les Engagés chairman Maxime Prevot leaves on his Vespa motorcycle after casting his vote at a polling station in Namur. Credit: Belga/ Bruno Fahy
Come evening, the mood was decidedly sombre as Open Vld faced up to resounding electoral losses. Credit: Belga
MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez was all smiles after a surge in support. Credit: Belga
Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken was triumphant at the Vlaams Belang post-election party in Londerzeel. Credit: Belga
PS chairman Paul Magnette delivers a speech at the post-election meeting the Socialist Party. Credit: Belga
PVDA-PTB chairman Raoul Hedebouw and former leader Peter Mertens at the party's post-election meeting. Credit: Belga
