Sint-Niklaas (The Brussels morning Newspaper): Sarah Willockx, 49, is running for the municipal council in Sint-Niklaas to honor her late father, Freddy Willockx, a respected socialist politician. She aims to continue his legacy and serve the community.
Sarah Willockx, who is 49 years old, recently shared on social media that she is running for the municipal council elections in Sint-Niklaas. She is the daughter of Freddy Willockx, a well-known socialist politician in Belgium, who passed away in mid-June at the age of 76 after becoming ill. Freddy Willockx had a notable political career, holding important positions like minister, state secretary, member of the European Parliament, and mayor of Sint-Niklaas. He was a respected public servant who made a big difference in both local and national politics.
What motivated Sarah Willockx to run for municipal council in Sint-Niklaas?
Sarah is running for the municipal council to continue her family’s political legacy and honor her late father, Freddy Willockx. It has been said that this decision is both emotional and significant, as it pays tribute to his commitment to serving the community. Freddy was a well-respected politician who held various important roles, including mayor of Sint-Niklaas, and his sudden passing in June at the age of 76 was a great loss for many. By joining the Vooruit party and being placed 15th on their list, Sarah aims to follow in his footsteps and make her own mark in politics, while also remembering the impact her father had on the community.
On social media, Sarah shared her feelings about her candidacy, saying that September 2 is a day of hope and new beginnings, but also a strange day for her and Oscar because it would have been their dad’s 77th birthday. Her post shows the mixed feelings she has about starting her political journey while missing her father. Sarah’s run for office is not just her own beginning in politics, it also honors her father’s lasting impact and the values he stood for during his career.
Sarah shared that it’s been 2.5 months since her father’s passing, and she is committed to achieving what he wanted but couldn’t finish. She views her candidacy as a tribute to him, who cared deeply for Sint-Niklaas and wanted to see a change in the city hall on October 13. Conner Rousseau, the leader of the Vooruit party in Sint-Niklaas, expressed his pride in Sarah joining their team, highlighting her passion for care, equal opportunities, and her strong connection to Sint-Niklaas, believing she has the qualities needed to help them succeed.
