Preparations for municipal elections in 2018 The branch of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) in Bruges announced on Wednesday (23 November) that Pol Van Den Driessche will head its list for the 2018 municipal elections.
Pol Van Den Driessche, a journalist and writer, started his political career in the Christian Democratic Flemish party. He joined N-VA in 2011 but had to withdraw his candidacy in local elections in Bruges after being accused of sexual harassment. He is communication adviser to Bart De Wever, the chairman of the party, and a member of the Belgian senate.
The appointment of Van Den Driessche follows consultation with the national leadership of the party. The Bruges section will now launch an "ambitious electoral program, a strong and positive campaign and the search for additional political talents," according to the N-VA press release.
"I look forward to the future filled with confidence," said Pol Van Den Driessche.
"The N-VA wants to participate in the management of the city, with Pol as mayor in the best case,” according to the president of the N-VA branch in Bruges, Dirk Barbier.
At the end of September, Open Vld formalized the choice of Mercedes Van Voclem as head of its list. The CD & V has appointed Dirk De fauw. The current bourgmestre (mayor), Socialist Renaat Landuyt, has not yet announced his candidacy for a new term.
The Brussels Times (Source: Belga)
