The Socialist Party (PS) has annulled the appointment of Molenbeek Sports Councillor Mohammed Kalandar due to "procedural errors". Kalander is separately under investigation for allegedly hateful social media posts.
PS confirmed its national vigilance committee's decision to annul Kalandar's appointment on Monday. Since he has already taken up the position he must now resign voluntarily and will be replaced by Khalil Boufraquech.
Mayor of Molenbeek Catherine Moureaux (PS) is on medical leave until the end of the month. She will review the matter upon her return, she told La Dernière Heure.
The decision follows a complaint from a PS member. The national vigilance committee found several errors in Kalandar's election, including issues concerning the voting procedure and electorate eligibility, justifying the annulment of his appointment.
The committee's decision overturns a prior ruling by the regional committee.
Other scandals
Kalandar replaced his predecessor Yassine Akki, who was removed after a 20-year-old conviction for raping a minor came to light.
Separately to his dismissal, Kalandar is also under investigation by the regional vigilance committee for extremist social media posts, such as one that urged his followers to share the news of a Danish cartoonist who was set on fire and killed after depicting the prophet Mohammed.
