On Wednesday, Le Soir reports that the turnover rate for candidates on electoral lists is close to 70% in Wallonia and Brussels. Nearly 16,000 new candidates have got back onto the lists in Wallonia and Brussels. The figure equates to a 66% turnover in named individuals.
In Wallonia, the candidate turnover rate is 66.3%, compared to 2012. A similar figure to Brussels, where 68.8% of candidates were not on the lists six years ago.
Émilie Van Haute, a political analyst at the Free University of Brussels, comments, “A feature of municipal elections is that they are a gateway into politics for many citizens.”
That having been said, the turnover drops to 30% at the beginning of the list. Those who are active within municipal areas: mayors, members of aldermen colleges and commune councillors, as well as Public Social Assistance Centre presidents, generally obtain the best jobs. Outgoing elected municipal representatives represent 10% of candidates in Brussels and 16% in Wallonia.
Ms Van Haute further explains, “Parties wish to create votes. They capitalise upon known candidates likely to achieve the best result.”
The Brussels Times