Open VLD in crisis as liberal sister party MR plans Flemish expansion
The French-speaking MR, sister party to Flemish liberals Open VLD, is accelerating its plans to launch a Flemish branch. With growing internal dissent, many Open VLD members are reconsidering their loyalties.
The two parties share a common heritage - MR in the French-speaking south and Open VLD in the Flemish north. However, capitalising on Open VLD’s decline, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez is now making moves to establish a distinct Flemish wing.
Bouchez’s plan includes creating a bilingual policy unit and appointing Flemish economist Rudy Aernoudt as his chief of staff to strengthen MR’s appeal among Flemish voters. He believes that by tapping into the base of Open VLD, MR can rejuvenate and unite Belgium’s liberal movement ahead of the next federal elections.
"If Open VLD continues on its leftward path, I will leave"
His strategy comes amid widespread criticism that Open VLD is drifting too far to the left, causing many right-leaning liberal voters to defect, notably towards the nationalist N-VA, the party of the prime minister. Open VLD suffered its worst election result in history last year, and its latest polling numbers remain at a record low of 6 per cent.
The party is also struggling internally. Leader Eva De Bleeker looks to redefine its identity while uniting a divided membership. While many within the party acknowledge that after years in government the party lost its distinct liberal voice, they seem to disagree on how to right the ship.
At least nine Open VLD mayors have already expressed interest in joining MR. Hoeilaart mayor Tim Vandenput, a former Open VLD MP, warned: “If Open VLD continues on its leftward path, I will leave.”
Open VLD is set for a major reform in September.
#FlandersNewsService | MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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