The Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has agreed to become the interim party leader of Open VLD following Egbert Lachaert's surprise resignation on Wednesday.
Having led the party since 2020, Lachaert resigned amidst his party's disappointing polling which, if repeated at next year's elections, would see the Flemish liberal party fall to its lowest-ever result.
Lachaert explained that "to succeed in reforming our party, we must all dare to question ourselves," with De Croo agreeing to temporarily take over, stating that "the party can count on me until a new leader is appointed."
The PM and Lachaert are now going to decide on who will be Open VLD's next party leader over the summer, with the option of organising a leadership election seemingly off the table.
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However, De Croo's new position as interim party leader has come under fire, as it is customary for Prime Ministers to resign from other roles they hold when appointed to lead the Federal Government.
Moreover, the appointment comes at the worst possible time for some in government, with ministers currently in intense discussions over Hadja Lahbib's future, as well as upcoming tax and pension reforms.
With next year's elections on the horizon, many will feel that De Croo has gone into "campaign mode," significantly weakening the sway he may hold over the government.
Paul Magnette, leader of the Francophone Socialist Party (PS), the largest party in government, has criticised De Croo for taking on this new role. "Prime Minister or party leader, you have to choose," Magnette told the PM on Twitter, stating that he "must remain above the fray."
The centre-left leader's comments may also be perceived as a retort to De Croo's previous criticisms when the PM told Magnette to "focus on Wallonia first" when he expressed his readiness to lead the Belgian Government after next year's elections.
