I’ve been thinking about GLB’s popularity in Flanders. As we all saw after the 2024 elections, MR is the largest party by votes in Brussels and Wallonia. Many people have suggested that MR launch a party in Flanders, given Open Vld’s current state. Liberalism in Flanders is barely holding on and is in urgent need of rebranding.

Amidst the leaks during the federal government formation, GLB has gained a lot of respect and admiration from center-right voters in Flanders. At the same time, we know that BDW has been the most popular politician and the leader of the largest Flemish party for over a decade.

I think people have high expectations for BDW as prime minister because he has been the “voice of reason” for so many for so long. Typically, both the person and party in power take a hit after their term. Now, since GLB isn’t in the federal government and will remain his populist self, do you think he could become Belgium’s newest “voice of reason”? By 2029, could we see a Belgium where GLB, rather than BDW, is the most influential politician? Do you like GLB more now since the elections? I’m curious about your thoughts. (Picture from La Libre)

by CaughtTheirEyes_

16 comments

  1. BDW is the “voice of reason” because he’s playing a Maggie Thatcher cosplay for +/- 12 years, only talking about how Belgium’s budget should be corrected and spending controlled. Now that he’s in power he’ll grab his flemish nationalist hat back, because his dream isn’t having nice finances for Belgium, he wants the end of this country.

    GLB is a Nicolas Sarkozy fan and we can obviously see that he mimics his 00s career. He’s following the “Droite décomplexée” path, stealing the program and the members of the far right. I can’t see how this could be a “voice of reason”. In France it lead to the implosion of Sarkozy’s party in favor of the Far Right. In Belgium it’s translating by GLB giving the keys of Belgium to the ones who want it dead.

  2. There’s people that like GLB here? I can’t imagine a more boorish figure in Belgian politics and yes that includes all of VB plus Francken and Jambon.

  3. ze zouden allebei super populair worden moesten ze elkaar eens muilen op tv

  4. I don’t think Reddit is the part of the population that mostly voted for these people anyways people who support those guys are similar to Trump supporters imho.

  5. How could anybody see the diva that is GLB as a voice of reason?

  6. I don’t know —nothing really tends to stick to BDW, Mark Rutte style. There’s been plenty of things wrong with the Flemish government or the Antwerp city council, but somehow nothing really tarnished BDW’s image. Even if his prime ministership is a total bust, I can see him still being popular.

  7. The exact same as De Croo, they’re gonna get massively punished next election for failing to fix the problems they have.

  8. GLB doesn’t speak Dutch. I have a feeling that might impede his success rate in Flanders.

    Also, why are bullies in politics so popular? Are most people still mentally stuck at the playground cowardly rooting for the bully?

  9. Federal elections should have Federal parties. I just can’t understand who had the stupid idea to divide parties based in some language differentiation. Switzerland, which we can say is a bit similar to us, have Federal parties. If it works very well there, you would think it could work well here as well….

  10. GLB is the most narcissistic of this generation of politics. Who the hell calls him a voice of reason, except himself?

  12. GLouB is kinda the right-wing version of Hedebouw, but he somehow manages to sound even more simplistic, caricatural and illiterate-sounding. He is that rich kid, which despite wealth, doesn’t have much general culture, likes cars much more than books and basic sociology, and rejects intellectualism.

    I despise BDW’s ideology and policies, he is as corrupt and nefarious as MR’s members, but we can grant him the fact that unlike MR’s president, he is educated/literate. MR and PTB/PVDA currently shares the fact that their public figure isn’t the intellectuals of the party, but rather the one that sells best to the general, non-university-graduate, people.

  13. I honestly hope Flemish people will wake up and stop voting for these clowns. I am Italian and let me tell you: these guys make the same promises that Berlusconi was making. Maybe they are less corrupt (I am not sure about that), but they will still ultimately destroy the country and siphone a ton of money from the poor people and give it to the 1%.

  14. I think unless Arizona is a total clown show, BDW will remain the most popular politician. Policies aside, he’s very likeable – he speaks well, is clearly intelligent (he has a PhD which I’m not sure every member of the chamber is capable of getting), he has a good sense of humour, and is no doubt a talented politician and campaigner.

    I don’t know about everyone else, but my respect for Bouchez has really taken a hit since the elections – and I generally consider myself a centrist (centre left on some issues, centre right on others, and also dependent on the country and their finances, social situation etc etc). I’m not a fan of the way he acted and handled himself after the whole debacle with BDW resigning in august, or at a few other points during the formation. I don’t like that he pulled out as minister at the last moment (and I don’t like Rousseau and Mahdi not becoming ministers either). Overall, I also don’t really agree with his brand of politics as well as his more right leaning views (though that goes for BDW too). TLDR; based on my views of Bouchez, he won’t go too far in Flemish politics (also as others have said he can’t speak Dutch), but I don’t know about others

  15. FR-from Brussels here: BDW has shifted from pushing the project/dream of a “Flanders Republic” to being the winner of elections and declaring himself as candidate (and winner) for the Prime Minister position of Belgium. IMHO: impressive change. Moreover, he has shown he can roll up his sleeves and get the job done as mayor of Antwerp (not B/W but still).

    As far as GLB goes, Bouchez has been kinda of an “Insta influencer”: he only knows (and does it very well) how to gain traction and attention in the media, he’s formatted for social networks, throwing easy slogans, and…nothing else..In other words, a populist.

    He passed on Minister of Interior because of what…? (Just a personal opinion): because it’s a tough job FFS, a lot harder than throwing punches on media sets -which pretty much sums up his whole career if you ask me (accepting the downvotes on this one)-.

    I don’t share BDW’s vision, but one must admit that by becoming PM of Belgium, he accepts *de facto* to get his hands dirty while GLB will stay in his President of MR chair (aka his ivory tower) and will bark like a little dog whenever he pleases. *La critique est aisée, mais l’art est difficile*

    So in other words (again, just my opinion), Bouchez chickened out, and BDW accepted the burden.

    Let’s see how this post will age, like in 4-5 years.

  16. BDW should send GLB to a CVO, get him to B1 in Dutch, then make him the next prime minister.

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