Brussels 2030 Culture Bid Faces Controversy Over New Leader Fatima Zibouh

Fatima Zibouh is criticized for her designation as the new face of Brussels2030, succeeding former journalist Hadja Lahbib who stepped down from the position in July 2022, after her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs. On Friday, Brussels DéFI deputy Christophe Magdalijns had asked the new co-mission manager to "respect with determination the strict neutrality necessary and applicable to the Brussels public services of which ’Brussels 2030’ is undoubtedly a part", reports Belga. Zibouh is an administrator of the Center for Intersectional Justice "whose ideological matrix leaves little doubt. The person in question seems to rub shoulders with various figures of Islamic activism," estimates the elected official, stressing that the political scientist holds "a public management position" that falls "under the responsibility of the Brussels government and which, as such, requires adopting total neutrality in acts as well as in appearances".

Questioned by Christophe Magdalijns on this designation during the plenary session of the regional parliament, Rudi Vervoort assured that the process of appointing Fatima Zibouh had been followed in an open manner within the ASBL responsible for preparing the candidacy "and" that "the government did not have to pronounce itself in one way or another because of the legal structure of the ASBL". And to add: "It seemed to the latter that the profile met the requirements set. The person in question holds a doctorate from the University of Liège dealing with the cultural policy of minorities. I imagine that must have played a role. I don’t think there has ever been the slightest problem with the project bearer who has been working for several years at Actiris, without any problem with Bernard Clerfayt," the DéFI Minister of Employment.