Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bruges politician Filip Walleyn ended up in 3rd place in the Open VLD chairman election on October 17, 2025, with Frédéric De Gucht winning 90.99% while Walleyn promoted his Libra project.
As VRT News reported, Bruges resident Filip Walleyn ended up in 3rd place in the recent Open VLD chairman election. Frédéric De Gucht was elected as the new party leader with 90.99% of the vote. Walleyn said his main goal was to promote his Libra project, Liberal Right Alternative.
“I think I have succeeded in getting my ideas noticed,”
Walleyn said. He added that he does not plan to step aside. Walleyn wants to help shape the party’s policies and its future direction. He said he will stay active and take part in discussions within Open VLD.
What happened as Bruges’ Filip Walleyn lost the open VLD chair to Frédéric De Gucht?
Walleyn described the campaign as a valuable learning experience.
“It was a great chance to connect with others and learn from the process,”
he said. He also joked about finishing third:
“I won the bronze medal, but with three candidates, everyone was guaranteed a podium spot.”
Despite his result, Walleyn said the campaign gave him momentum.
Bruges politician Filip Walleyn said the most important task for the new Open VLD chairman, Frédéric De Gucht, will be to unite all liberals.
“De Gucht has been given a strong mandate,”
Walleyn said. He remarked that preventing the liberal movement from fragmenting will be one of the new chairman’s first tasks. Walleyn warned it must not happen since a strong liberal movement in Belgium was imposed by party unity. Some groups and some individuals are considering to run on separate lists.
Walleyn said the election is not the end of his political ambitions.
“I am certainly not quitting. On the contrary, I have planted my seed,”
he said. Walleyn also said he plans to seek a seat at the European level in the future. He hinted that he could run in the 2029 European elections. Walleyn said he wants to continue influencing politics both nationally and in Europe.
Filip Walleyn is a Belgian entrepreneur and political activist from Bruges. He is a member of Open VLD and is known for his Libra project—Liberal Right Alternative, which promotes smaller government and lower taxes. Walleyn ran in the Open VLD leadership election on October 17, 2025, against Frédéric De Gucht and Francis Uyttebroeck.
