Ghent (Brussels Morning) – Ghent’s progressive parties Voorit and Groen did well in elections while PVDA gained ground reflecting the city’s rebellious spirit and diverse population.
In the recent elections in Flanders N-VA became the biggest party and Vlaams Belang came in second with some good progress. But when we look at Ghent things were different there. In Ghent Vooruit was the top party in the Flemish elections by 20 percentage points and Groen was the leader in the federal elections by 22 percentage points. Also PVDA grew by 2 percent each time.
What Factors Contribute to Ghent’s Progressive Voting Patterns?
A political expert from UGent Tony Valcke mentioned that Ghent has a history of being a bit rebellious since the 19th century. The socialist movement was strong there and later on the environmental movement also got support. This rebellious spirit is not just in Ghent but in other cities too.
Valcke mentioned that there are a few reasons for this. Ghent is known as a student city so many educated people with specific jobs choose to live there. These individuals typically lean towards more progressive ideas and tend to vote in a similar way. The presence of a large student population and a concentration of highly educated professionals in Ghent likely contribute to the city’s more progressive voting patterns.
Valcke noticed that some leaders like Petra De Sutter from Groen and Conner Rousseau from Vooruit in Ghent gained extra votes due to their strong campaigns. In Ghent parties like Groen and Vooruit focus on residents with a migration background including them in their policies and electoral lists which attracts more votes from that community. The opposition party PVDA also reaches out to people with a migration background.
In Ghent the PVDA party has seen a 2% increase in support potentially impacting the upcoming October municipal elections. There’s uncertainty whether the city’s youth played a significant role which requires further investigation. The dynamics between political parties particularly Groen and Vooruit are shifting with Vooruit now aligning with Open VLD instead. Mayor Mathias De Clercq who is not running in these elections is focusing solely on Ghent and promises a new unifying agenda with confidence.
How is Ghent’s Political Landscape Evolving After the Elections?
In Ghent there’s a distinct narrative being crafted one that emphasizes unity and connection. The upcoming elections are viewed with unwavering confidence as Mayor Mathias De Clercq despite not being a candidate focuses on the city’s future. His dedication to Ghent underscores a commitment to writing a new chapter characterized by collaboration and progress. With a strong team and ambitious agenda in the works Ghent’s trajectory is poised for positive transformation reflecting a community that embraces diversity and collective vision for the future.
Socialist leader Astrid De Brucker expresses satisfaction with the election results highlighting the continued support for the joint list with the Liberals as a progressive project. Vooruit celebrates success with new members joining parliament alongside familiar faces expressing a desire to maintain momentum. At a council meeting relief is shared among majority party aldermen that extreme right groups did not gain ground. The radical left PVDA is growing, and there are slight increases for the center-right N-VA while Vlaams Belang maintains its 2019 status.
