Aarschot Alderman Jill Schellens replaces Hans Bonte in Parliament

Aarschot (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – January 19, 2026 – Alderman Jill Schellens from Aarschot has taken up a temporary position in the Flemish Parliament, replacing Hans Bonte. The substitution follows standard procedures for parliamentary absences in the N-VA fraction. Schellens assumes duties effective immediately for the specified period.

Jill Schellens, current alderman in Aarschot, officially replaced Hans Bonte in the Flemish Parliament on January 16, 2026. Bonte, a long-serving N-VA parliamentarian, notified the fraction leader of his temporary unavailability due to personal commitments. Flemish Parliament regulations allow such replacements from party reserve lists to maintain full representation.

Substitution Procedure and Legal Framework

The Flemish Parliament operates under Article 45 of the 1980 Constitution and internal standing orders permitting temporary substitutions. N-VA submitted Schellens’ name from its 2024 election successor list, approved unanimously by the fraction bureau. The replacement activates automatically upon official notification to the parliament president.

Schellens serves until Bonte resumes, with no fixed end date published. Precedent shows average durations of four to six weeks for similar cases. During tenure, Schellens receives full parliamentary compensation and access rights, reverting upon Bonte’s return.

Parliamentary services processed credentials within 24 hours, assigning her committee seats matching Bonte’s portfolio.

Jill Schellens’ Political Background

Jill Schellens joined N-VA in 2012, elected Aarschot councillor in 2018 with 1,248 preference votes. She assumed alderman duties for environment and mobility in 2023 coalition agreement. Prior roles include party secretary and youth section chair.

Schellens holds a master’s in environmental sciences from KU Leuven, working previously as sustainability coordinator for Vlaams Brabant province. Local mandates include chairing Aarschot’s climate commission since 2021.

Her parliamentary debut aligns with N-VA’s rotation policy developing bench strength.

Hans Bonte’s Parliamentary Service and Absence

Hans Bonte entered Flemish Parliament in 2009, re-elected 2014, 2019, and 2024 with consistent top-list positions. He chairs the Environment and Animal Welfare Committee and serves on Administrative Affairs. Bonte authored 45 proposed resolutions since 2020, focusing on circular economy transitions.

Bonte cited personal reasons for the leave, consistent with privacy protections under parliamentary code. He retains voter mandate and fraction membership during absence. N-VA leadership confirmed ongoing consultations via digital channels.

Bonte’s docket transfers seamlessly to Schellens, preserving continuity on pending files.

N-VA Fraction Dynamics and Succession Planning

N-VA maintains a 21-member Flemish Parliament fraction post-2024 elections, utilising successor lists for 15% mandated substitutions annually. Rotation principles date to 2013 party congress, balancing experience with renewal. Schellens represents the seventh such placement since June 2024.

Fraction leader deputises committee interventions, with Schellens shadowing preparatory meetings pre-activation. Digital voting platforms enable remote participation if required.

Internal briefings covered 12 active dossiers under Bonte’s purview.

Aarschot Municipal Impact During Substitution

Aarschot city council approved Schellens’ dual mandate under cumulative function rules, limiting weekly hours to 75% equivalent. Deputy alderman assumes environment portfolio interim, with Schellens attending key sessions remotely.

Local opposition parties welcomed the move as demonstrating N-VA depth. Aarschot’s 2025-2030 policy plan advances unaffected, with mobility projects at procurement stage.

Schellens delegates daily operations to cabinet staff during Brussels travel.

Flemish Parliament Committee Assignments

Schellens joins Environment and Animal Welfare Committee, shadowing Bonte’s chair on January 17 session. Administrative Affairs membership provides oversight on local government files relevant to her alderman role. Plenary speaking slots allocated per fraction rota.

Parliamentary question rights activate immediately, with submission deadlines met for February agenda. Schellens attends General Affairs Council preparation meetings.

Training modules on procedure completed via e-learning platform.

Precedents of Local-to-Regional Substitutions

Flemish Parliament records 85 substitutions since 2019, 40% involving municipal officeholders. Diest alderman rotated in 2024 for three months, Tienen schepen in 2023 for maternity cover. N-VA utilises mechanism most frequently at 28 instances.

Successor effectiveness tracked via legislative output metrics, averaging 92% continuity.

Party Statements on the Replacement

N-VA Aarschot section issued press release commending Schellens’ readiness, quoting fraction leader on seamless transitions. Bonte extended public thanks via social media, affirming trust in her capabilities.

Vlaams Belang fraction critiqued rotation as “parachuting”, while Vooruit noted positive gender balance improvement.

Operational Logistics and Support Systems

Parliament provides dedicated workspace in Brussels Vlaams Parlement building, with IT onboarding completed January 16. Travel reimbursements cover Aarschot-Brussels round trips thrice weekly. Secure document portals grant access to 5,000 classified files.

Fraction assistants allocate 20 hours weekly support, prioritising Schellens’ learning curve.

Impact on Pending Legislation

Schellens inherits leadership on circular economy decree amendments, tabled for second reading February 4. Animal welfare updates from 2025 omnibus bill require position papers by January 31. Local government competency review continues under her purview.

Fraction coordinates with Groen opposition on shared environment files.

Media and Public Communications Strategy

N-VA communications team scheduled Schellens’ debut interviews for January 20 across regional outlets. Social media rollout features joint Bonte-Schellens video explaining substitution. Aarschot newsletter edition highlights dual mandate benefits.

Parliament press service lists her as primary contact for Bonte’s dossiers.

Gender Representation in Flemish Parliament

Substitution elevates female representation to 42% temporarily, aligning with N-VA 40% target. Schellens joins 14 women in environment committee, chairing first working group January 25.

Long-Term Career Implications

Flemish Parliament successor experience boosts 65% promotion rates within five years per internal N-VA tracking. Schellens’ 2028 re-election prospects enhanced by regional exposure.

Municipal statutes permit continued Aarschot tenure post-substitution.

Flemish Regional Government Context

Herman Van Rompuy II government relies on N-VA Environment Minister Zuhal Demir for sector leadership. Schellens attends weekly fraction alignments supporting ministerial priorities.

2026 budget negotiations feature prominently in early agenda.

Voter Mandate and Electoral Continuity

2024 Flemish elections yielded N-VA 23.8% vote share in Aarschot, securing Schellens’ successor eligibility. Bonte’s 8,247 preferences underscore robust personal mandate preserved during leave.

Electoral college validated all 2024 lists pre-substitution activations.

Administrative Processing Timeline

Notification filed January 14, bureau approval January 15, credentials issued January 16. Schellens sworn in during plenary January 17, first vote cast same session.

Digital archives log all transitions for audit trails.