Brussels Election Surprise: Diverse Independent List Wins Seats in Regional Parliaments

The feat of Ahidar’s list in the elections on Sunday has surprised more than one. For Fouad Ahidar, this result is not only "the culmination of twenty years of politics," but also the fruit of the diversity policy adopted by his team. "Our list includes all nationalities, natives and foreigners, Dutch-speakers and French-speakers," he told RTBF. The Moroccan-origin elected official also attributes this success to the intense campaign carried out by his group via Whatsapp.

Fouad Ahidar had left Vooruit last December after a controversial statement on the conflict in Gaza. The former elected official had considered the Hamas attacks as "a small response to Israel’s policy for the past 70 years." The political career of this Moroccan is scrutinized by experts. "We are facing a character who can be perceived as a bit evasive, with a complex political career that goes through Volksunie, Spirit, Vooruit and now the Team Fouad Ahidar," analyzes Cédric Istasse, a political scientist at the Crisp.

During his campaign, Fouad developed themes such as the veil and ritual slaughter. "I work on many themes, such as housing, employment, security, harassment, but the media highlight what upsets people. It’s up to me to prove, if I enter a government, that I’m there for all Brussels residents," he explained, affirming his determination to defend the rights of Muslims who suffer discrimination. "I want efficiency, I want honest people working in the municipality, regardless of what they have on their heads. No one is neutral, the only thing that must be neutral is the service provided to the population."

With this performance, the Team Fouad could sit in the government. But "we must realize that this is a party that rests on a single personality, a program that is far from unanimous among its potential coalition partners, notably a program enormously focused on religious aspects," comments Cédric Istasse.