On Saturday, the mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever, announced he wanted to remain President of the New Flemish Alliance until 2019. The party council has given him permission to stand for a fifth mandate.
Depending on status, the Flemish nationalist party has to choose a new President after two mandates. A 66% majority is needed to allow further mandates.
Bart De Wever has obtained the right number of votes, so is authorised to stand for a fifth mandate. Candidates have to submit their candidacy before the 13th of October. The vote will be from the 6th to the 13th of October. The results of the first round of voting will be announced on the 18th of November.
“If we choose a successor now, they will have two major tests straight away”, says Bart De Wever. “Honestly, I still feel I should manage the 2018 and 2019 electoral campaigns myself”.
Bart De Wever says his party “is in good health”. “With Jan Jambon and Théo Francken, we have two of the most popular officials in Flanders. They can put in place the immigration and security policies the Flemish electors want, and which made them vote for the New Flemish Alliance”.
(Source: Belga)
