"And now for something completely different." This is the Monty Python quote engraved on a wooden block that perches on Christos Doulkeridis' mantelpiece. The words seem fitting for the outgoing mayor of Ixelles, ousted from his post despite Ecolo's electoral victory two weeks ago.
However, despite the Socialist Party's (PS) "betrayal" last week which excludes Ecolo from Ixelles' next council, Doulkeridis has no intention of moving on to "something completely different." Whether it is local politics or bringing people together around a Greek mezze, his guiding conviction is to unite people.
But unity was not the order of the day following local election results in Ixelles. Ecolo came first with 28.4% of the Ixelles vote and had publicly intended to renew its current coalition with PS (in third place with 19.6%). But in a backroom deal, PS chose to go into government with the centre-right liberals Mouvement Réformateur (MR) instead, who came second with 27.7% of the vote.
Christos Doulkeridis.
Doulkeridis has therefore lost the mayorship and has announced his withdrawal from politics.
What PS did "was not an anti-democratic betrayal but a political one," he told The Brussels Times. "It was a personal betrayal too. We worked together for six years and made many courageous and progressive decisions together."
Although disappointed, the outgoing mayor is slightly relieved to be released from such a public position. "Being in the public eye is a terrible burden. I have always used the public side because that's what helps you to achieve things in politics. If you're not known, you're less able to get things done."
'The world is becoming more and more right-wing'
The lively central municipality always captivated Doulkeridis. He grew up in Schaerbeek and Anderlecht but from a young age he had his sights set on Ixelles for its green spaces and cultural diversity.
The 56-year-old firmly believes that Ecolo's progressive triumphs in Ixelles will not have been for nothing. He remains cautious, however, about how much the next government will prioritise the environment and social inclusion.
Saint-Boniface church in Ixelles. Credit: Belga / Paul-Henri Verlooy
"I find it surprising that a progressive party like PS chose an alliance with conservatives when it had the choice of a progressive majority with whom it has worked well, in a world that is becoming more and more right-wing, inward-looking and hateful."
Belgium's political 'punching bag'
The outgoing mayor says he could have played coalition games too but his values trump any kind of political manouevring. He expresses profound concern that climate change has disappeared from political debate.
"We don't talk about climate change enough because it is not politically advantageous. And most lobbies don't want us to talk about the climate because it doesn't suit them economically."
Demonstration organised by 'Rise for the Climate' in Brussels, to raise awareness for climate change, Sunday 27 January 2019. Police said 70,000 people attended the march. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
In addition, Belgium's green parties Ecolo and Groen have become a political "punching bag." The campaign against the Good Move mobility plan and other similar strategies constitute "a strong attempt to undermine [the greens'] main social purpose."
He adds that Belgium's environmental movement needs an experienced and courageous leader who takes ownership of difficult decisions – even if people aren't happy with them.
"Jean-Michel Javaux [Ecolo mayor of Amay in Wallonia, ed.] has created a strong legitimacy but it took him years to do it [...] I am happy the party has announced an internal reflection after the results. We need strong leadership but this takes time."
'No shame in talking about security'
Left-wing parties have hardened their tone on matters of security, symptomatic of the entire country's slide to the right. Doulkeridis disputes this analysis and defends the left's ability to be tough on crime.
"If you're an environmentalist, you're going to defend the pleasure of living in the city, getting to know your neighbours, letting your children walk in public spaces [...] And if there is no security, none of that is possible. So there is no shame in talking about security."
On the divisive topic of a police zone merger, Doulkeridis denounces hypocritical arguments: "As the right-wing parties who are talking about it don't want to invest in the police or justice, they come up with misleading debates."
In any case, "a merger wouldn't change much for Ixelles." The central commune already benefits from a heftier police budget than others.
Victories, mezzes and weddings
After an unexpected end to a fruitful stint in office, how does Doulkeridis feel?
"Tired, and content [...] Content because we won the elections. Our work was recognised, and we convinced 28.4% of Ixelles that it's possible to do politics by being constructive, positive and altruistic, which is not really in fashion at the moment."
And what is next for the veteran politician, who has headed off to Greece after a heavy week of speaking to the press?
"I love to cook. Especially Greek mezzes. And I am writing a book about my parents, so hopefully I'll have the energy to finish it now. I have lots of projects. But I also have to earn a living."
Place Fernand Cocq in Ixelles. Credit: Belga / Paul Henri Verlooy
Doulkeridis says he is grateful to have guided Ixelles through the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, and to have met so many couples of different ages, sexualities and races getting married in his very own workplace, the town hall.
"Thank you to Belgium for having given me the right to be an active politician and thank you to all the partners with whom I have built solutions, whatever their party. I am very grateful for all these collaborations."
