Good evening from Brussels! The results from all Brussels municipalities are in, and political parties are already beginning to ponder possible coalitions.
On Sunday, people in all of Belgium's 581 municipalities cast their votes to elect their municipal councils, while those in Wallonia and Flanders also voted in their provincial elections. More than 8.3 million Belgians were eligible to vote, while around 162,780 non-Belgians (both EU and non-EU citizens who have been in Belgium for at least five years) registered to vote.
Find out what the next steps are in the elections, including how councils are formed in Belgian municipalities and how mayors are elected.
This article covers the developments of the Belgian local elections on Sunday 13 October. The latest updates appear highest on the page. See here for all official results in the Brussels-Capital Region.
[00:00] - That's a wrap
The time has come to bring today's liveblog to a close. Here are the full results and analysis. Thank you for following along with us.
The results are in but coalitions still have to come together, councils still have to be formed and mayors still have to be officially appointed. Stay tuned for more election coverage from tomorrow morning.
Goodnight from The Brussels Times team: Maïthé Chini, Ellen O'Regan, Ciara Carolan, Lauren Walker and Ugo Realfonzo.
[23:39] - Schaerbeek coalition talks already underway
The Socialist Party is busy celebrating its victory in Schaerbeek, but list leader Hasan Koyuncu is not present as he is already paving the way for coalition talks.
"He is busy working in the name of our municipality and party," the party's third list candidate Abobakre Bouhja told BRUZZ.
Over in Saint-Gilles, victorious Socialist mayor Jean Spinette would not discuss the possibility of a coalition with PTB-PVDA, who came second with 24.4%. Forming a coalition with the left-wing party would be a first in Brussels. Spinette says he wants to initiate talks with Ecolo-Groen, who came third with 23.1%.
[23:24] - PS leader Paul Magnette: 'The blue wave has crashed into the red wall'
Speaking in Charleroi earlier this evening, leader of the Socialist Party (PS) Paul Magnette celebrated his party's improved results.
"Since June, we were told that Wallonia had shifted to the right and that there would be a reversal in the cities and municipalities [...] We remain the first in Brussels-Ville, Saint-Gilles, Molenbeek, we are in the absolute majority in Koekelberg and Evere, and we are going to take the mayorship in Schaerbeek. The blue wave has crashed into the red wall."
Paul Magnette (L); George-Louis Bouchez (R). Credit: Belga
Addressing journalists on Sunday night, leader of the Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party leader George-Louis Bouchez evoked the same "blue wave".
Sunday's results are "a real confirmation of MR's June results," he said. "It's a blue wave, and like all waves, it erodes all stones, even the biggest ones."
[23:01] - Molenbeek: Catherine Moureaux (PS) announces talks with PTB-PVDA
Mayor of Molenbeek Catherine Moureaux (PS) says she will launch coalition talks with the Belgian Workers Party (PTB-PVDA). "It is clear that we are going to start by seeing the PTB," she told RTBF.
Moureaux' list lost five seats but is still the largest party in Molenbeek. Meanwhile, PTB-PVDA gained four seats, and both parties hold a narrow one-seat majority.
"We must pay attention to protest and to socio-economic difficulties, and we must create a progressive majority [...] Progress is on the left and that starts with talks with PTB-PVDA, which has come in second place," Moureaux explained.
PTB-PVDA list leader Dirk De Block stated that "we are going to start talks with other parties to explore possible agreements." The party is willing to enter a coalition that defends affordable housing, quality education and cleaner, safer neighbourhoods.
Catherine Moureaux (PS) casting her vote on Sunday 13 October. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[22:46] - Jette final result: Fouad Ahidar wins most preferential votes
The LBJette list led by Mayor Claire Vandevivere has emerged victorious in Jette this evening. Although down 13.8 points, the Engagés-led list obtained 24% of the vote and will have 11 seats out of 37 (-5) in the next municipal council.
The MR-Open VLD list led by regional Budget Minister Sven Gatz is in second place (17.2%). In third place is PS-Vooruit with 14.1%.
Meanwhile, Team Fouad Ahidar secured 12.7% of votes, with leader Fouad Ahidar obtaining the best personal score in the municipality with 2,293 preference votes, ahead of Claire Vandevivere and her 2,101 votes.
Fouad Ahidar. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[22:33] - Evere final result: Absolute majority for PS
PS figureheads Ridouane Chahid and Rudi Vervoort's list have won an absolute majority in Evere with 45.9% of the vote. MR came in second with 22,98%.
[22:32] - Saint-Gilles final result: Jean Spinette stays mayor despite PTB challenge
Saint-Gilles is among the last to announce its results despite being one of the smallest municipalities in Brussels.
Jean Spinette's Liste du Bourgmestre (PS-Vooruit) has retained its traditional socialist stronghold in Saint-Gilles, winning 33.7% of the vote. PTB-PVDA is in second place with 24.4% and Ecolo has come third with 23.1%.
PTB have gained a whopping 11.4% percentage points, even if according to the results, PS-Ecolo have enough seats to renew their coalition majority (13 seats for PS and 8 for Ecolo).
[22:22] - Anderlecht final result: Centre-right just about beats PS-Vooruit
The Anderlecht count is in: the centre-right list bringing together MR, Les Engagés, Open VLD and CD&V has come out on top with 12,422 votes (27.3%).
Close on its heels was the PS-Vooruit list with 12,232 votes (26.8%).
Rounding out the rest is PTB-PVDA with 14.9%, Team Fouad Ahidar with 14.1%, Ecolo-Groen with 7.8%, N-VA with 3.3%, Anderlecht Autrement with 2.6%, DéFI with 2.3% and the Citizen’s Collective with 0.9%.
[22:05] - Woluwe-Saint-Lambert final result: DéFI secures almost half of votes
Big success for DéFI’s Liste du Bourgmestre in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert: the party has secured 45.5% of the votes (11,457).
The remaining half of votes is shared between Mouvement Réformateur (20.2%), Les Engagés (12.4%), Ecolo (12.1%), PS-Vooruit (7%) and Team Fouad Ahidar (2.9%).
Nonetheless, DéFI has suffered a 13.9% drop in support since 2018.
[21:50] - Qatargate MEP holds onto mayor title
Marc Tarabella, a former Belgian MEP charged with corruption for his hand in Qatargate, will remain mayor of Anthisnes, a municipality in Liège, Wallonia.
Tarabella was charged with corruption and money laundering in February 2023 for accepting up to €250,000 in Qatari bribes when he was an MEP. Despite this, his Socialist Party secured 11 out of 15 seats in Anthisnes, meaning the 61-year-old will continue to act as mayor of the commune.
Former MEP Marc Tarabella (PS). Credit: Belga
[21:38] - Ninove: First ever ruling majority for Vlaams Belang
Now that all votes have been counted in the Flemish municipality of Ninove (East Flanders), it is clear that Forza Ninove (Vlaams Belang) became the largest party and has won an absolute majority, with 18 out of 35 seats.
List leader Guy D'haeseleer has the most preference votes and therefore becomes Belgium's first Vlaams Belang mayor.
Credit: Belga
[21:34] - Forest final result: MR narrowly beats PS
Counting in Forest is complete and the French-speaking liberals Mouvement Réformateur (MR) has come out on top with 6,214 votes (25.8%). The PS-Vooruit list came in close second with 5,967 votes (24.8%) followed by the Belgian Workers Party (PTB-PVDA) with 5,102 (21.2%) and Ecolo-Groen with 5,000 (20.8%).
Les Engagés garnered the least support with 1,788 votes (7.4%). Forest was split by the divisive Good Move policy and MR’s victory suggests a desire to do away with the controversial mobility plan.
[21:23] - Waiting on results from five municipalities in Brussels
We are still waiting on results from five communes in the Brussels-Capital Region: Anderlecht, Evere, Forest, Saint-Gilles and Woluwe Saint-Lambert.
[21:20] - Auderghem final result: DéFi secure rare victory
The List de Bourgmestre, led by Sophie De Vos (DéFi), have retained the Brussels municipality of Auderghem with 7,777 votes. In second, the MR-Les Engagés-Open VLD-CD&V list won 3,789 votes.
[21:13] - Koekelberg final result: Ahmed Laaouej re-elected with absolute majority
The leader of the Socialist Party (PS) in Brussels and mayor of Koekelberg, Ahmed Laaouej, has been re-elected after securing an absolute majority with 50.3% of the vote, earning 14 out of 27 seats. The liberal Open MR list came in second with 22.1% and 6 seats, followed by Ecolo-Groen with 14.3% and 4 seats.
The outgoing majority was a coalition of PS, Vooruit, Ecolo/Groen, Défi, and Alternative humaniste (Les Engagés).
PS' Ahmed Laaouej. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
[21:07] - Schaerbeek final result: PS and MR-Les Engagés tie, Mayor Clerfayt loses
PS (19.2%) and MR-Les Engagés (18.2%) enter the municipal council with 10 seats each. Mayor Bernard Clerfayt's (DéFI) List du Bourgmestre shrinks from 31.97% to 12.6%, still good for six seats (-11). Team Fouad Ahidar gains 8.5% and four seats.
Ecolo-Groen is the third party with 17.6% (-1.8 percentage points) and 9 seats (-1). PTB-PVDA received 13.2% and retains its 6 seats. 1030 Ensemble picks up 2 seats. Meanwhile, Hannelore Goeman with Vooruit+ failed to win a seat in the municipal council.
[20:50] - City of Brussels final result: MR makes significant gains, PS remains largest
The PS-Vooruit list led by outgoing mayor Philippe Close won the elections to the City of Brussels on Sunday, taking 16 seats. Despite losing two seats, the list remains ahead of the MR+ list (12 seats; +5).
In third place are PTB-PVDA (7 seats; +1), followed by Ecolo-Groen (6 seats; -3), Team Fouad Ahidar (5 seats) and Les Engagés (3 seats; -2). DéFI – which won three seats in 2018 – has now disappeared from the local council. Mathematically, the only possible two-party coalition is between the PS-Vooruit and MR+ lists.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close
[20:19] - Waiting on results from 10 municipalities in Brussels
We are still waiting on results from 10 communes in Brussels. Anderlecht, Auderghem, City of Brussels, Evere, Forest, Jette, Koekelberg, Saint-Gilles, Schaerbeek and Woluwe Saint-Lambert.
Among those still waiting, Mayor Philippe Close looks set to retain the City of Brussels despite a promising challenge from MR. The French-speaking liberals are challenging in Ecolo-run Forest. In Schaerbeek, PS and MR are neck-and-neck.
[20:14] - Uccle final result: Current mayor Boris Dilliès wins comfortably
Uccle results are in and current mayor Boris Dilliès’ Liste du Bourgmestre has enjoyed a comfortable win. The MR-DéFI coalition has secured 15,154 votes: 39.8% of the total.
In second place was Ecolo-Groen with 8,220 votes (26.8%), followed by the Socialist Party (13.5%), Les Engagés (11.2%), Uccle En Avant (10.4%), N-VA (1.8%) and the Citizen’s Collective (1.8%).
If you want to know more about Boris Dilliès, check out our pre-election interview from The Brussels Times Magazine.
[20:05] - Molenbeek-Saint-Jean final result: PS takes a hit, but holds off PTB-PVDA
Molenbeek mayor Catherine Moureaux's PS-Vooruit list held firm. While her party suffered heavy losses (23.1%, down from 31.3% in 2018), PS-Vooruit narrowly held off Dirk De Block's PTB-PVDA, who received 22.2% (an increase of 8.5%) of the votes.
Liberals MR-VLD finished third with 17.1%, while Team Fouad Ahidar jumped to 14.6%. Molenbeek Autrement, Ahmed El Khannouss's list, also captured 9.4% of the vote. A continuation of the current red-blue coalition is impossible.
If you want to know more about PTB-PVDA's Dirk De Block, check out our pre-election interview from The Brussels Times Magazine.
PS' Catherine Moureaux (PS-Vooruit) casts her vote at a polling station in Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[19:58] - Bart De Wever beats PVDA in Antwerp: 'Freedom has won'
Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever's N-VA has comfortably remained the largest party in Antwerp, winning 37% of the votes. The predicted neck-and-neck race with Jos D'Haese of the Belgian Workers Party (PVDA) did not materialise, with the radical left party winning 20.2%. De Wever can now continue his coalition with Vooruit, with Groen not necessary to achieve a majority.
"Freedom has won, prosperity has won," De Wever said during his victory speech in Antwerp, in front of a crowd of supporters. "Antwerp colours gold and yellow. In the polls, we were at 7% loss and our coalition was totally lost. Look at us standing here tonight. We have done it. For the third time in a row, we are the largest party in the city. Your commitment in recent weeks has once again made the difference."
Antwerpen Mayor Bart De Wever delivers a speech at a meeting of the Antwerp branch of conservative Flemish nationalist party N-VA, on the evening of the local elections on Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
[19:54] - Woluwe-Saint-Pierre final result: Mayor Benoît Cerexhe wins with 61%
With 61.7% of the vote, the Liste Bourgmestre led by Benoît Cerexhe has won an absolute majority in the Brussels municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. This list, which also includes Secretary of State for the Budget Alexia Bertrand (Open VLD), will have 24 of the 35 seats on the municipal council. The Ecolo-Groen list came 2nd with 18.7% and 6 seats (-1).
[19:44] - Watermael-Boitsfort final results: MR take municipality from Ecolo
The MR-GM-Les Engagés list – headed by MR leader in Brussels David Leisterh, known for his active opposition to the Good Move mobility plan – has won (38%) over Ecolo (26%). Socialists PS came third with 17%, followed by DéFi in fourth place with 14.3%.
Under the previous mandate, the mayor's office was held by Olivier Deleuze (Ecolo), who did not stand for re-election. Tristan Roberti was the list leader for Ecolo.
MR David Leisterh pictured during the drawing of the list numbers for the upcoming local elections in Brussels region, Belgium, Tuesday 03 September 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga
[19:31] - Very tight race between PS and PTB in Molenbeek
With 4 out of 54 polling stations still to be counted in Molenbeek, PS are narrowly in the lead with 23% (-8%), just ahead of the PTB (22%).
[19:20] - Belgian PM De Croo wins majority by one seat
It was a close call for outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo who is running to be mayor in Brakel (East Flanders). The outgoing leader won an absolute majority (13 seats out of 25) by a single seat.
[19:16] - Berchem-Sainte-Agathe final result: Mayor consolidates leadership
Mayor Christian Lamouline (Les Engagés) has won again in Berchem-Saint-Agathe: with 33.6% of the vote, his Liste du Bourgmestre – which mostly consists of Les Engagés members – will have 12 seats in the new municipal council (+4 seats).
During the campaign, the outgoing coalition (La Liste du Bourgmestre, PS-Vooruit+ and Ecolo-Groen) had announced its intention to continue governing the municipality if voters renewed their confidence in it. If this intention is confirmed, the coalition will have a comfortable lead over the opposition on the council (21 seats out of 29). The agreement also provides for the reappointment of Lamouline as mayor.
[19:06] - Saint-Josse final result: Mayor Emir Kir comfortably re-elected
The results are final in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, with Mayor Emir Kir (independent) winning 17 of the 29 seats and retaining an absolute majority in the country's most densely populated municipality.
If you want to know more about Mayor Emir Kir, check out our pre-election interview from The Brussels Times Magazine.
[18:52] - Ixelles final result: Ecolo-Groen narrowly win
The Liste de Bourgmestre Ecolo-Groen, led by mayor Christos Doulkeridis, has defied the odds by winning the most votes in the Brussels municipality of Ixelles and retaining its coalition majority with PS.
Ecolo-Groen won 28.4% of the vote (13 seats), despite going down by 4.6 percentage points and losing 3 seats. MR have finished in second place, up slightly to 27.7% of the vote (also 13 seats). The PS came third with 19.6% of the vote and 9 seats.
On the local council, Ecolo and PS have 22 seats out of 43, which should allow the current coalition to be continue.
[18:42] - Ganshoren final result: Les Engagés mayor to be re-elected
Jean-Paul Van Laethem's Burgomaster's List (Les Engagés) won the elections in Ganshoren with 31.9% of the vote (+13.8%), RTBF reports.
[18:38] - More than a third of Flemish people did not vote
The abolition of compulsory voting in Flanders caused more people than expected to stay away from the polling booths. As votes have been counted in large parts of the Flemish Region, it seems that roughly a third of eligible voters did not go.
In many cases, less than 70% of eligible voters turned up at the polling station, and this figure even dropped below 60% in some municipalities.
In Ostend, Bruges and Aalst, it is just over 60%. Cities like Mechelen, Genk and Sint-Niklaas hover around 62%. While the average turnout rate today was predicted to be a good bit lower than normal, political experts expected the figure to be between 70%-80%.
N-VA's Bart De Wever casts his vote at a polling station in Antwerp, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Maarten Staetemans
[18:17] - Etterbeek final result: Mayor Vincent De Wolf retains office
In Etterbeek, Mayor Vincent De Wolf's list (LB) has retained his position as mayor.
The Liste du Bourgmestre (MR, CD&V, Open VLD, independents) won 37.8% of the vote, but saw a small decrease (-3.6%) compared to 2018. Ecolo-Groen, who were in a coalition with MR, came second with 21.4% of the vote (but experienced a bigger decrease with -6.5%). Les Engagés and PTB have benefited from the slight drop in support for the ruling coalition.
De Wolf is set to become Mayor of Etterbeek for another five years, having first been election on 16 January 1992.
[17:53] - Brussels results are starting to come in
The first votes have started to roll in for Brussels, as more than 20% of ballots in the capital region have now been counted.
In Etterbeek more than two thirds of votes have been tallied, with the Liste Bourgemestre currently leading, followed by the joint green party list (Ecolo-Groen).
More than three quarters of votes have also been counted in Ixelles, where the Bourgmestre Ecolo-Groen list is out in front, followed by the joint list between MR and Open VLD.
In Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, PTB appear to be neck-and-neck with PS with just under 40% of the vote counted.
French-speaking centrists DéFi are facing disaster in Schaerbeek, where they hold the mayor's office, but appear to be down with around 50% of the vote, with PS leading, MR/Les Engagés second.
[17:39] - Sophie Wilmes wins but will not take mayor role
With 72.7% of the vote, the list of the outgoing mayor Pierre Rolin's list has won the municipal elections in the municipality of Sint-Genesius-Rode (Flemish Brabant) by a wide margin. The elected members of this list will occupy 20 of the 25 seats on the municipal council.
With 2,541 votes preferential votes, former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès beat fellow list leader and mayor Pierre Rolin by 2,364 votes, effectively giving her the power to become mayor. However, Wilmès, who was elected as an MEP last June, announced to La Libre that she will not be taking up the office of mayor.
MR's Sophie Wilmes. Credit: Belga
[17:25] - Waiting game in Brussels
Almost an hour and a half after polling stations closed, there is still no sign of results for the 19 municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region.
[16:52] - Behind the scenes at the Brussels ballot box
The Brussels Times’ very own magazine editor Leo Cendrowicz, was called in to be an election invigilator in the City of Brussels today, but was allowed to go home as municipalities often call more people than are needed.
"I turned up bleary eyed at the polling station but was deemed surplus to requirements and allowed to go home as they already had enough election ‘assesseurs’ (effectively the assistants guiding the queues, checking IDs and answering questions from confused voters)," he said.
To be called up, you need to be a Belgian citizen, and it is like jury service where those summoned are forced to turn up, even if they are eventually not selected. No excuses are accepted. And the consequences are serious: people who are summoned but fail to appear at these elections face fines ranging from €400 to €1600. Those selected receive a jeton de présence (attendance token) worth €37.50.
Statue of Pieter Bruegel and his son in the main hall and queueing area of the Marolles school which was acting as a polling station. Credit: The Brussels Times / Leo Cendrowicz
[16:29] - Conner Rousseau loses mayoral bid in Sint-Niklaas
Vooruit president Conner Rousseau has lost the race to become the new mayor of Sint-Niklaas in East Flanders, as the current mayor Lieven Dehandschutter of N-VA came out on top.
The N-VA list received 27.5% of the vote (down 1.5% compared with 2018), while Vooruit ended at 25.6% (still a jump of 13% compared to the last local elections). Vlaams Belang came in third place with 19.5%.
Vooruit's Conner Rousseau casts his vote at a polling station in Sint-Niklaas, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Kristof Van Accom
[16:24] - Possible election fraud in Ninove
The East Flanders Public Prosecutor's Office has been informed of possible electoral fraud in the municipal elections in Ninove, according to Belga.
The public prosecutor has launched an investigation, but has not yet provided any further information.
[16:17] - First final results in Flanders
Results should come in quickly for municipalities using electronic voting in Flanders and Brussels, as the first final results are in for the small municipality of Zutendaal, in Limburg.
This municipality of just over 7,000 voted in favour of the list of the local mayor, Ann Schrijvers, who retained an absolute majority in terms of votes and seats.
The final turnout in Zutendaal was 69.8%, amid generally low turnout across the region.
[16:00] - Brussels polling stations close
All polling stations in Brussels have now closed, meaning voting for the local elections has ended. In the 141 Flemish municipalities where voting is done by paper, along with all polling stations in Wallonia, polling stations closed their doors at 13:00. This was followed by the other 159 Flemish municipalities using digital voting, where polling stations closed at 15:00.
Preliminary results in Flanders are trickling in, however, no final results have been published.
[15:26] - Heavy blow to outgoing PM Alexander De Croo's list, but still the biggest
The Open VLD list in the East Flemish commune of Brakel, led by outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, has taken a heavy blow. The party has lost 15% of the vote since the 2018 elections, VRT NWS reported. However, with almost 40% of the votes, it remains the largest party.
Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
[15:24] - Incident at a polling station in Flanders: Candidates thrown out by police
Mustafa Tokgoz (CD&V), Jurgen Vande Voorde (Lokaal Liberaal) and Mathieu Weyn (Lokaal Liberaal) were asked by the police to leave a polling station this Sunday morning in Hamme, East Flanders. The candidates were allegedly carried out election campaigning at the polling place, which is forbidden.
[15:16] - Mayor of Saint-Josse: ‘I will not collaborate with those who have betrayed me’
In the Brussels municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Mayor Emir Kir cast his vote on Sunday morning.Six years ago, Kir achieved an absolute majority but now aims to form a coalition, regardless of the election outcome.
"It is not good to remain isolated, but I will not collaborate with those who have betrayed me and played games," Kir stated.
The mayor was expelled from the PS in 2020 for meeting with two far-right Turkish mayors. Now Kir, who is standing up with a Mayor's List, has to face a socialist list for the first time. However, he does not seem worried
Saint-Josse Mayor Emir Kir speaking to local residents
[15:05] - Voting closed in Flanders
All polling stations in Flanders are now closed. In the 141 Flemish municipalities where voting is done by paper, polling stations closed their doors at 13:00 (along with all polling stations in Wallonia).
The other 159 Flemish municipalities which use digital voting have closed polling stations as of 15:00. Those still in line at the time of closing are still allowed to cast their votes.
In Brussels, where all votes are cast electronically, polling stations will remain open until 16:00.
[14:53] - Meanwhile, voters in Wallonia are jealous
In the Walloon municipality of Waimes the locals are jealous of people in Flanders who are not legally obliged to vote.
"So many Flemish people are in Wallonia today. Meanwhile, we have to go and vote," one resident (63) told The Brussels Times.
[14:48] - Supervisors playing cards to pass time in Flemish polling stations
In the Flemish city of Hasselt (Limburg), low turnout means those supervising the polling stations are playing card games to kill the time, the Brussels Times has learned.
One resident from the Flemish municipality of Hechtel-Eksel told our reporter Maïthé Chini that there was "absolutely no one" at their local polling station.
"I just walked right in and immediately cast my vote," they said.
[14:45] - More than 60% of Brussels voters have cast their vote
More than 60% of Brussels voters have already cast their ballots, the Brussels Local Authorities (BPB) reported around 14:20. Unlike in Flanders, attendance to vote is still obligatory in Brussels. People can still vote until 16:00 in the capital region.
A polling station in Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[14:30] - First preliminary result from Heist-op-den-Berg
The Antwerp municipality of Heist-op-den-Berg, which has historically made a point of being the first to count its votes, is again the fastest-counting team in the country. It was also the fastest in the June elections.
It has published the first (and for now, the only) result. Votes from two polling stations have been counted, showing that the lists ‘de Lijst voor Heist’ (N-VA, Open VLD and Groen) and ‘PRO Heist - Vooruit’ (Vooruit and independent candidates) are very close, with 26.6% and 25% of the votes, respectively.
[14:20] - Molenbeek: PS Mayor does not rule out coalition with PTB or MR
Outgoing Mayor of Molenbeek Catherine Moureaux hopes to retain her mayoral office after the 13 October elections. The mayor cast her vote at 10:45 am at the Korenbeek school. Leading a PS-Vooruit list, Moureaux did not disclose whether she plans to continue her coalition with MR or opt for PTB, which is gaining popularity in Molenbeek.
Despite these challenges, Moureaux is keen to serve another six-year term. "I would really like to continue the work we've started with my team. We’ve made thousands of decisions and had a good legislature," she told Belga.
The socialist leader confirmed that no pre-electoral agreements had been made in her municipality. "That's not how I do politics. It's the citizens who set the direction," she stated.
Her six-year term has been marked by strained relations with the MR coalition partner, staff strikes, and significant internal tensions within her own party.
PS' Catherine Moureaux (PS - Vooruit) casts her vote at a polling station in Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[14:07] - Turnout at 36% in Genk
By noon on Sunday, voter turnout in Genk was at just 36%, as the abolition of mandatory voting in Flanders has markedly reduced the number of citizens casting their ballots.
However, current mayor Wim Dries says he expects a turnout of between 70% and 75% before digital voting closes at 15:00.
"At noon we were averaging 36%. Per polling station it fluctuated between 25% and 48%," he said.
[14:00] - Fouad Ahidar hopes for 'great gift' for his 51st birthday
A confident and smiling Fouad Ahidar turned up at the polling station in Jette (Brussels) at around 10:00 on Sunday.
Former Vooruit politician caused a major shock in the 9 June vote with his breakaway party, and hopes to win at least ‘two or three majorities’, which would be a "great gift" for the man who turns 51 today.
"I'm very optimistic, we've done what we needed to do and the welcome has been magnificent, both in Brussels and elsewhere," said Ahidar, who claims to have sent no fewer than 16,000 campaign text messages on Saturday alone.
Team Fouad Ahidar + 1090's Fouad Ahidar pictured at a polling station in Jette, Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
[13:54] - Georges-Louis Bouchez: 'Desire for change' in Mons
After casting his vote in Mons earlier today, Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of MR and head of the Mons en Mieux list, told media that their candidates were well received by the public.
"We sensed a real desire for change. The campaign was tense, but that tension did not start with this campaign. The atmosphere in Mons has been complicated for years," he said.
"We'll see what the outcome of these elections is... I am confident that we have done our utmost," he said.
MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez (Mons en Mieux) and his partner pictured at a polling station in Mons, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
[13:42] - Power cut affects some stations in Flanders
A brief power failure affected voting in some parts of Heusden-Zolder, Beringen, Lummen and Leopoldsburg, as voting machines were temporarily down.
According to the mayor of Leopoldsburg, Wouter Beke (CD&V), he received confirmation from grid operator Fluvius that the power failure had been resolved, so the voting computers could be restarted. As relatively few voters were present during the power cut, polling stations will not remain open any longer as a result of the interruption.
[13:40] - Some Schaerbeek voters only voting because its obligatory
In Brussels, where the vote is obligatory (unlike in Flanders), several people told our reporter Lauren Walker that this was the sole reason they were voting today. "For me, I have no real political opinion on what is good or bad, I am just voting to vote," one man in Schaerbeek said.
However, others argued that the vote for the local elections was very important, even more so than the regional and federal elections. "We can meet the people who we elect and speak about what their plans are for the commune," a man at another Schaerbeek polling station said.
Polling station in Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
[13:26] - Voters in the Marolles turn out early
People in the Marolles district of the City of Brussels have turned up to vote much earlier and quicker than they did for the federal and regional elections in June, an invigilator at the École Baron Louis Steens told our reporter Ciara Carolan.
But some of these voters still don’t know who to support once in the booth. "Many politicians are moving toward a dangerous form of populism," said Flemish pensioner Robert (82). “I’m still completely unsure about who I’m going to vote for."
[13:18] - Rudi Vervoort: ‘It's a strange feeling to be voting for the last time as mayor here’
Outgoing Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS/Burgomaster's List) voted at around 09:00 on Sunday morning in of the Brussels municipality of Evere. The vote was also his last as mayor of Evere, a post he held for almost 27 years. Vervoort has been taking part in municipal elections in Evere since 1982.
PS' Rudi Vervoort casts his vote at a polling station in Evere, Brussels, Sunday 13 October 2024. Credit: Belga / Timon Ramboer
"It's a strange feeling to be voting for the last time as mayor here. But that's life. There's a beginning and an end to everything," he told Belga.
"With almost 27 years as mayor and 30 years in the municipal council, local politics in Evere has been a big part of my life. I've done it with passion, and today I'm proud to see that Evere has become a modern municipality," said Vervoort, pushing the Liste de Bourgmestre.
[13:05] - Paper voting closed in Wallonia and Flanders
Polling stations across Belgium where votes are cast by paper are now closed - meaning all polling stations in Wallonia and about half (141) in Flanders.
As voting in Wallonia wrapped up, there were no major incidents reported at polling stations. Ballot boxes will now be sealed before being sent to the various counting offices. The first results are expected in the late afternoon.
Electronic voting will remain open in Flanders until 15:00, while in Brussels where voting is entirely electronic polling stations will remain open until 16:00.
Meanwhile, in the German-speaking Community, voting will end at 15:00.
[12:50] - Ending mandatory voting in Flanders a 'historic mistake'
As paper voting is almost closed in Flanders, it is already clear that turnout is lower than in previous years. For the first time, Sunday’s municipal elections are not compulsory in the region.
Opkomst voorlopig laag, cijfers die ik ontving:
Linden 11u30 34% Lubbeek 11u45 31% — Theo Francken MP (@FranckenTheo) October 13, 2024
Flemish Minister for Home Affairs, Hilde Crevits (CD&V), said that turnout will inevitably be lower than the 92% recorded in the last local election, but it is "still too early" to know the exact figure.
"We will have to wait for all the ballots to be counted in all the electoral districts. We have already agreed within the Flemish Government to carry out a thorough evaluation of the abolition of compulsory voting," she said.
Jeremie Vaneeckhout, co-chair of the Flemish green party Groen and member of the Flemish Parliament, says that the abolition of compulsory voting is a "historic mistake".
De afschaffing vd opkomstplicht is een historische vergissing.
Bij de bespreking vh decreet in 2021, probeerde ik urenlang @openvld op andere gedachten te brengen. @cdenv en iets minder @de_NVA stemden met lange tanden toe. Onbegrijpelijk. Zo blijkt.https://t.co/45ikmcTR4O — Jeremie Vaneeckhout (@JeremieVaneeckh) October 13, 2024
[12:15] - Almost half of Brussels residents have voted
Voters in the Brussels-Capital Region have been up bright and early this Sunday, as between 40% and 45% of people cast their ballots by 11:30.
The Brussels regional public service says the vast majority of polling stations are operating smoothly, despite a persistent issue with one station in Anderlecht.
[12:00] - One hour until paper voting closes
All Walloon polling stations will close at 13:00, as will the 141 in Flanders where voting is still done on paper. Stations in the other 159 Flemish municipalities where voting is done digitally will remain open until 15:00. In the 19 Brussels municipalities where all voting is done electronically, they will close at 16:00.
In many communes in Belgium, voting is still done on paper. Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
[11:40] - Five things to watch
While voting is still ongoing and the results will not be in for several more hours, there are several key outcomes that experts will be fixated on. The abolition of compulsory attendance in Flanders is already one premonition of which the effects are visible, namely in lower turnout. Read more about the other important outcomes and results to watch today.
[11:00] - Key candidates and politicians cast their vote
Many well-known candidates and politicians from across Belgium – including key figures on the federal and regional levels – cast their votes bright and early.
From left to right: Outgoing Brussels Minister-President Rude Vervoort (PS), PVDA's Jos D’Haese who is leading the list in Antwerp, current Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA) and Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau. Credit: Belga
[10:45] - One Anderlecht polling station still not open
One polling station in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht was still unable to open its doors at around 10:00 on Sunday due to technical problems, the Brussels regional public service 'Brussels Pouvoirs Locaux', confirmed to Belga News Agency.
The capital experienced several problems at the start of voting. In all, a total of 12 polling stations spread across Auderghem, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Evere, Jette, Forest, Schaerbeek, Molenbeek and Uccle experienced various technical problems, many of which have since been resolved.
[10:30] - Polling stations quieter in Flanders
For the first time, Sunday’s municipal elections are not compulsory in Flanders. The abolition of compulsory attendance is already visible in some places. Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA), told VRT NWS that it was "remarkably quieter than other years".
This was backed up by several people who already headed to the polling stations and noticed the same trend.
"Never before have I been able to vote so smoothly. This is also seen in other places, both inside and outside. Curious to see the turnout figures," one voter, Tom De Smet, said on social media.
"I went to vote at the same time as last time [9 June for the federal and regional elections, Ed.]. Then there were 30 people in front of me. Now, there is no one," another person said.
[09:45] - Disruptions at polling stations
Around 30 polling stations where voting is done digitally in Flanders experienced technical problems when they opened this morning. By around 10:00, five polling stations still had malfunctions that made voting difficult, located in Duffel, Kalmthout, Leuven, Lint, and Lochristi, Belga News Agency reported.
Problems were also detected in Evere and Schaerbeek: the bags in which the USB keys for starting the machines, the instructions and the passwords were to be found were not the right ones, RTBF reported. The problem affected all polling stations in the two communes.
[08:45] - What to expect when heading into a voting booth
Voters must remember to bring their identity/residency card and 'convocation' letter, which tells them where to vote. Once in the booth, voters will be presented with a list, showing which candidates are standing per party in the municipality (or province). Find all you need to know about lists here.
It is only possible to cast votes within one list per election (one for provincial elections and one for municipal ones). Voters can choose a different party for each of those two elections. People can either choose to give a vote to one list or vote for one or more candidates within one list. Voting for multiple lists or voting for candidates from different lists will result in an invalid vote, which is not counted.
Credit: The Brussels Times / Isabella Vivian
In Brussels and the places in Flanders where voting is done digitally, the computer will indicate that the vote is not valid.
Meanwhile, in around half of the polling stations in Flanders and almost all of those in Wallonia (except in the German-speaking communes in the east), people will be voting on paper. In this case, voters will not be informed about their incorrect vote. For those voting on paper, the ballot paper for the communes will be white, and for the provinces, it will be green.
[07:55] - Who is running in your commune?
Still not sure who to vote for? The Brussels Times' local elections guide details who is standing in all 19 communes in Brussels, and what their policies are. All lists are numbered in the same way as they appear on the ballot.
