Flemish MP Faces Potential Suspension from Open Vld Amid Nonprofit Scandal

Will Sihame El Kaouakibi be excluded from the Open VLD? Will the statutory commission follow the request of its president Egbert Lachaert? Questions that for now remain unanswered. "I have learned that there is a possibility that I will be temporarily non-active as a member of the Open Vld. I understand, but I sincerely hope that this will only be temporary," the Flemish MP reacted in a message on Facebook.

The Antwerp dance non-profit Let’s Go Urban of this social entrepreneur is suspected of financial irregularities after the resignation of three directors. An external audit is underway and the city of Antwerp has launched an investigation, RTBF reported. Meanwhile, the judge of the Antwerp commercial court has appointed a provisional administrator who oversees the daily operations for the next three months and also follows up on an investigation into cash flows.

Another case is causing a lot of controversy. In the 8AM newsletter, journalist Wouter Verschelden reveals that the Open Vld paid 50,000 euros to the young entrepreneur to support her in her political launch. Sihame entered politics in 2019. Faced with the controversy, Gwendolyn Rutten, then still president of the Open Vld, explained in a Facebook post that this decision was justified by the "unique positioning" of this entrepreneur.

"Our party at the time considered that these financial investments in Sihame El Kaouakibi’s professional political launch constituted a good investment for the entire party, in Antwerp and elsewhere," she said. On Thursday evening, the Open VLD explained how this sum of money was used. 30,000 euros were devoted to the salary of a collaborator and the remaining 20,000 were used for "typical campaign expenses", such as advertising on social media and the sending of mail, the Open VLD detailed, assuring that no irregularity has been found.

That same day, Sihame El Kaouakibi tried to clarify things. "I have never, ever, illegally used subsidies. Let that be clear. I regret that errors may have been made in the functioning of my ’baby’, of which I am the founder and administrator, but not the only one." The Flemish MP also says she is the victim of a computer hacking by an employee of the non-profit organization. "I discovered that documents relating to the discussions of the board of directors have been illegally modified and/or deleted. I have reason to believe that a resigning member of the board of directors is involved in this matter," the elected official believes. She has decided to file a complaint for forgery and computer fraud.