Belgian PM Resigns Following Election Defeat
Belgian PM Resigns Following Election Defeat
The Facts
Belgian Prime Minister (PM) Alexander De Croo of the ruling Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD) party has tendered his resignation following his party's defeat in the federal elections.
In De Croo's own constituency of East Flanders, Open VLD won 10% of the vote, down from 17.85% in 2019. Nationally, his party took less than 7%, with the right-wing nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) taking the top spot with a projected 22%.Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of the ruling Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open VLD) party Sunday tendered his resignation following his party's defeat in the federal elections.
The Spin
This election was a clear rebuke of both De Croo as a person and his party. Not only did Belgian voters knock the Open VLD off its high horse, but they also stripped 11 of the green parties' 21 seats. De Croo represents the European elites, as shown by his anti-Trump remarks, which is why the people voted for parties who will focus on national concerns.
Belgian voters were still able to keep the far-right, secessionist Vlaams Belang from forming a government. Belgium is a historically diverse country, from its semi-autonomous Flemish- and Dutch-speaking regions to its North African immigrants, which is why the people voted to keep the far-right from ending immigration and tearing the country apart.
