Former Open VLD chairman Egbert Lachaert says his party needs a more "dictatorial" leader following its dismal election results.
The Dutch-speaking liberals experienced historically low results in both federal and regional elections on 9 June, and party leader Tom Ongena stepped down in the fallout.
Egbert Lachaert helmed the party from 2020 to 2023 and has not ruled out returning to the post. In an interview with De Zondag, Lachaert said the party needed to change tack if it hoped for survival. A more "dictatorial" leadership style would form part of this approach, as well as a party name change, he argues.
"We need a dictatorial leader. Someone to lead unity and not relent in the face of party opposition," he stated, arguing that liberalism in Belgium needed "a new home" as Dutch-speaking liberalism is "outdated".
Looking to Bouchez
In French-speaking Belgium, Mouvement Réformateur (MR) makes up the liberal camp. Led by Georges-Louis Bouchez, the party made enormous gains on both the federal and regional ballots two weeks ago. In Lachaert's eyes, Bouchez' leadership should serve as an example to his eventual Flemish counterpart.
Lachaert has reportedly been encouraged by many to consider running for leadership again, but support is not unanimous and he is cautious in the face of some hostility. "This time, it has to work," he said, suggesting he would only run if it did not pose a threat to the party's more general future.
Potential leadership candidates have until 9 July to put themselves forward and a vote will take place in August.
