The former Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor (CD&V), is among the candidates to lead the UN refugee agency UNHCR, Flemish newspaper De Tijd reported on Wednesday.
The UNHCR is a global group which aims to protect those fleeing their homes due to conflict and persecution. De Moor reportedly has strong support for the leadership role within the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) and Belgium's Federal Government, De Tijd added.
The news come just over a month since an Amnesty International report denounced the state of Belgium's reception of asylum seekers. In the report, the organisation highlights what it considers a persistent violation of human rights and the rule of law. It further said the "reception crisis" is a result of deliberate inaction from the government.
If de Moor's candidacy succeeds, she would replace Italy's Filippo Grandi as the head of the UNHCR. Grandi was first elected in 2016 for a five-year term, after which he was re-elected. His term is set to end on 31 December 2025.
The CD&V politician was tasked with asylum and migration in the previous De Croo government. She was replaced in De Wever's government in 2025 by Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). De Moor has since been a member of the Flemish Parliament.
