Open VLD Brussels Becomes Open BXL and Joins Forces with MR for Municipal Elections
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Loading... - Gisela Roth
- 23 Jul 2024
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In a strategic move to rejuvenate its image and strengthen its political stance, the liberal party branch of Open VLD in Brussels has rebranded itself as Open BXL. This name change is part of a broader effort to revitalize the party ahead of the local elections in October. Furthermore, Open BXL has announced a partnership with the bilingual MR+ list to contest the Brussels municipal elections together.
Earlier in July, the French-speaking and Dutch-speaking liberals in Brussels revealed their plan to unite under the MR+ banner for the upcoming elections. The primary aim of this coalition, according to David Weytsman, MR party leader and mayoral candidate, is to counteract the potential formation of a hard-left majority led by PS, Ecolo, and PTB.
Key Candidates on the MR+ List
The coalition has now disclosed the key Dutch-speaking candidates who will join the MR+ list. Leading the Open BXL candidates is Frederik Ceulemans, who will occupy the 11th position on the list. Ceulemans, an interior architect by training, has served as the spokesman and urban planning advisor for the liberal faction in the Brussels Parliament. He is followed by newcomer Charlotte Schoefs from Laken, who will be in the 30th position.
Frédéric De Gucht, the son of veteran politician Karel De Gucht and one of the candidate party chairmen, is placed 33r0d on the list. De Gucht has been a resident of the city center for over two decades and aims to extend the renewal efforts of Open Vld nationally. Dominique Verbesselt from Neder-Over-Heembeek and Frederic Masil, a real estate agency manager in the city center, will also join the list in the 40th and 45th positions, respectively.
Frederik Ceulemans expressed confidence in the team, stating, "I believe that with our five top candidates, we can make our city safe and orderly again." Open BXL aims to redefine and clarify the role of city governance to better serve the citizens of Brussels.
The upcoming elections will be a crucial test for this newly formed alliance as they seek to influence the political landscape of Brussels.
