Former MP Van Peel puts name forward to replace De Wever as N-VA leader
Former MP Valerie Van Peel has announced her candidacy to replace Bart De Wever as leader of Flemish conservatives N-VA. No other candidates have yet been confirmed.
“I am running for the leadership of the greatest party in the country,” Van Peel wrote on X. “And if the members want me to, I will once again dedicate myself to further strengthening our broad people’s party in the coming years in a way that can lift an entire community.”
The deadline for submitting nominations is 17 March. Van Peel decided to step down from politics in the run-up to last June's elections after her proposal to change the complaints process for asbestos victims was not passed.
"I felt the strength and fighting spirit again, the will to make a difference in our society"
A year away from Rue de la Loi had a cleansing effect, she said. “When in some parts of the world it is becoming painfully clear how the spirit of the times can propel extremes, when cooperation is needed more than ever, I felt that I could not stand by and watch … I felt the strength and fighting spirit again, the will to make a difference in our society.”
Before entering politics, Van Peel was a journalist. She was elected to the Lower House in 2014 and remained a member until last year’s elections.
Prime ministers typically do not hold party leadership positions while in office. Since De Wever took office as prime minister, Steven Vandeput has been party leader on a temporary basis, but elections to find a permanent replacement will be held soon.
#FlandersNewsService | © N-VA's Valerie Van Peel at the federal parliament, Brussels, November 2023 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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