The far-right party Vlaams Belang is still negotiating for a place in the majority on several Flemish municipal councils, party leader Tom Van Grieken stated on Saturday.
The 2024 local elections mark a turning point in Belgian political history. The cordon sanitaire surrounding Vlaams Belang was breached for the first time in the Flemish municipalities Ranst and Izegem. The party also gained an absolute majority in Ninove.
Vlaams Belang leader Tom Van Grieken says these developments confirm the breaking of the cordon sanitaire, an agreement between other parties not to govern with the far-right. The policy was introduced in 1989 following the electoral success of Vlaams Blok in 1982.
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The agreement was violated in Ranst and Izegem because of "village politics" and Van Greken says other municipalities may follow suit.
"We are still negotiating in several municipalities, but as with all negotiations, we do so discreetly and constructively," he said.
From Monday, Flemish electoral lists who did not come first in the elections have the right to instigate negotiations with other actors. There are still around 40 municipalities in Flanders without a majority.
