Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On February 3, 2025, Jean-Marie Dedecker left the N-VA parliamentary group, stating, “I want the freedom to control the government.” The Middelkerke mayor shifts into an independent position that strengthens his power to affect parliamentary decisions.
Jean-Marie Dedecker stepped out of the N-VA parliamentary group after the new Belgian federal government formed through a mutual agreement with the N-VA. Both N-VA and Dedecker reached an agreement that authorised his independent operation within parliamentary circles.
Dedecker stated,
“I want the freedom to control the government and the nonsense of Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit).”
Dedecker stood first on the 2019 election list of the West Flemish N-VA but decided not to join the party and maintained his independent status.
By leaving N-VA’s parliamentary faction consists of only 23 members even though it is still the House’s largest political bloc. The N-VA leadership agreed in advance with Dedecker to become independent from the party, thus enabling him to operate more freely during parliamentary proceedings. With independence status, he can ask weekly questions during question time instead of being restricted to two sessions per week by N-VA.
Separate from his position as a member of the N-VA, the new capital gains tax policy faces his strong disapproval, yet he acknowledges his support for the broader coalition pact.
“I will approve the coalition agreement,”
He stated, emphasising his intent to maintain a cooperative stance on broader legislative issues while scrutinising specific policies. Through his political transition, he shows dedication to ensuring government accountability that remains separate from ideological constraints.
What Led to Jean-Marie Dedecker’s Departure from N-VA?
The political trajectory of Jean-Marie Dedecker has included multiple milestones alongside noticeable public disputes. Dedecker made a career shift from being a national judo coach who achieved Olympic success with the Belgian team to becoming a VLD senator in 1999. When he left VLD in 2006, he established Lijst Dedecker (LDD), which gained five parliamentary seats in its inaugural election of 2007.
According to the 40,781 preferential votes he received from voters in 2019, Dedecker demonstrates widespread personal support in West Flanders. When he took office as Middelkerke mayor in 2018, he started managing the city while maintaining his independent political status in national representation.
