Genk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): In Genk, 37.2% of election candidates have a migration background, the highest in Belgium. Researcher Robin Devroe highlights this progress, noting that 60% of Genk’s population is diverse.
In the upcoming local and provincial elections, Genk has the highest number of candidates with a migration background, making up 37.2 percent of the candidates. The city’s diversity, as 60 percent of Genk’s residents are from migrant backgrounds. It means that local politics are better representing the city’s population.
How is Genk achieving 37.2% diverse candidates in elections?
Genk leads major cities in Belgium with the highest percentage of candidates with a migration background in the upcoming elections, at 37.2 percent. This is significantly higher than Antwerp’s 28.4 percent and Ghent’s 20.5 percent. It has been said that the figures show that while other cities are making efforts for better representation, Genk is setting an example by including more diverse candidates that reflect its population, where 60 percent are of migrant descent. This trend highlights the city’s commitment to inclusivity in politics and can inspire other municipalities in Belgium and beyond.
According to Researcher Robin Devroe from UGent Genk has the highest percentage of election candidates with a migration background, showing a small increase of 1.2 percent. However, he believes we may have reached a limit since 60 percent of Genk’s population comes from a migration background. In Hasselt, the percentage of candidates with a migration background is now 10.4 percent, which is still low compared to the 1 in 4 residents who have a migration background. In Flemish city centers, more than 15 percent of candidates come from a migration background, but they are not able to represent compared to their population numbers.
