**After almost two decades of top politics, the shelf life of N-VA chairman Bart De Wever has not expired by far. If the Flemish people feel represented by a politician, then by De Wever.**
By which politician do you feel best represented at this moment? This was asked for the third year in a row in De Stemming, the opinion poll conducted by the University of Antwerp and the VUB on behalf of De Standaard and VRT.Nws. The almost 2,000 Flemish people questioned were not given a list of names, but had to provide one themselves. According to researchers Stefaan Walgrave (UA) and Jonas Lefevere (VUB), this resulted in more spontaneous answers.
No fewer than one in three Flemings (32%) explicitly state that they do not feel represented by any politician, about the same number as in last year’s survey. Amongst those who do give a name, the name of N-VA chairman Bart De Wever stands out. He transcends his party, but above all, he determines the success of the N-VA to a large extent. More than half of the people who say they are going to vote for N-VA, do so because he is the chairman. Almost a third of those people would even follow De Wever if he would join another party. That remains a virtual thought exercise, of course, but it says something about the enduring appeal of De Wever, who has been chairman of the N-VA since 2004, although with Zuhal Demir and Theo Francken, there are two politicians who are also growing.
**Rousseau gradually catches up with De Croo**
Bart De Wever remains the uncrowned king of Flanders. There is no wear and tear on him’, according to Walgrave and Lefevere. In 2021, De Wever was overtaken once by federal prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD), but in 2022, De Wever is back on his throne. De Croo, on the other hand, is losing a lot of followers, possibly because the Prime Minister was less in the limelight as he was during the covid crisis as chairman of the Consultative Committee (Overlegcomité/Comité de concertation).
De Croo is even almost overtaken by Conner Rousseau, who is making huge strides as chairman of Vooruit. In three years’ time, he has become one of the most popular politicians in Flanders, almost rivalling the Prime Minister’, the researchers conclude. Meanwhile, Rousseau is also recruiting outside his own red church and there are even voters who would follow him to another party.
**CD&V and Groen: invisible**
Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken also has a solid following, although he barely reaches people who do not vote for Vlaams Belang. In addition, it is especially noticeable who scores poorly, such as Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon (N-VA), who, together with his Deputy First Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA), is completely disappearing. CD&V and Groen also have political staff that does not have a broad appeal. CD&V’s last hope, Sammy Mahdi, is not yet very popular, and chairman Joachim Coens is completely invisible. Minister Annelies Verlinden has the best track record yet. With Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter, Groen may have a politician who could become popular.
Wonder how many are non-antwerp residents. All I see from Bartje is shitty transit policy and the occasional annoying quip about how much he loves the Netherlands. Antwerp diserves better. But we won’t get it because he’s popular enough, there’s divided opposition, and he’s a very crafty politican. I just wish we could get a really ambitious mayor focused on local issues, not so obsessed with ceding Antwerp to another country.
The man who achieved nothing at all. He’s won multiple elections, had every opportunity to become PM but never did because it’s a lot easier to complain from the sidelines.
BDW is like Di Rupo in Wallonia – immortal.
He will likely never drop in popularity, unless he decides for himself to quit politics.
You vote for shit you start to adore shit…
This criminal should be in jail for knowing for years that people live on cancer inducing grounds. He decided to not reveal this fact because it would harm ‘his’ prestigious project in Antwerp. The criminal gangs he’s part of are called NVA and Lantis.
6 comments
**After almost two decades of top politics, the shelf life of N-VA chairman Bart De Wever has not expired by far. If the Flemish people feel represented by a politician, then by De Wever.**
By which politician do you feel best represented at this moment? This was asked for the third year in a row in De Stemming, the opinion poll conducted by the University of Antwerp and the VUB on behalf of De Standaard and VRT.Nws. The almost 2,000 Flemish people questioned were not given a list of names, but had to provide one themselves. According to researchers Stefaan Walgrave (UA) and Jonas Lefevere (VUB), this resulted in more spontaneous answers.
No fewer than one in three Flemings (32%) explicitly state that they do not feel represented by any politician, about the same number as in last year’s survey. Amongst those who do give a name, the name of N-VA chairman Bart De Wever stands out. He transcends his party, but above all, he determines the success of the N-VA to a large extent. More than half of the people who say they are going to vote for N-VA, do so because he is the chairman. Almost a third of those people would even follow De Wever if he would join another party. That remains a virtual thought exercise, of course, but it says something about the enduring appeal of De Wever, who has been chairman of the N-VA since 2004, although with Zuhal Demir and Theo Francken, there are two politicians who are also growing.
**Rousseau gradually catches up with De Croo**
Bart De Wever remains the uncrowned king of Flanders. There is no wear and tear on him’, according to Walgrave and Lefevere. In 2021, De Wever was overtaken once by federal prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD), but in 2022, De Wever is back on his throne. De Croo, on the other hand, is losing a lot of followers, possibly because the Prime Minister was less in the limelight as he was during the covid crisis as chairman of the Consultative Committee (Overlegcomité/Comité de concertation).
De Croo is even almost overtaken by Conner Rousseau, who is making huge strides as chairman of Vooruit. In three years’ time, he has become one of the most popular politicians in Flanders, almost rivalling the Prime Minister’, the researchers conclude. Meanwhile, Rousseau is also recruiting outside his own red church and there are even voters who would follow him to another party.
**CD&V and Groen: invisible**
Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken also has a solid following, although he barely reaches people who do not vote for Vlaams Belang. In addition, it is especially noticeable who scores poorly, such as Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon (N-VA), who, together with his Deputy First Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA), is completely disappearing. CD&V and Groen also have political staff that does not have a broad appeal. CD&V’s last hope, Sammy Mahdi, is not yet very popular, and chairman Joachim Coens is completely invisible. Minister Annelies Verlinden has the best track record yet. With Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter, Groen may have a politician who could become popular.
Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Wonder how many are non-antwerp residents. All I see from Bartje is shitty transit policy and the occasional annoying quip about how much he loves the Netherlands. Antwerp diserves better. But we won’t get it because he’s popular enough, there’s divided opposition, and he’s a very crafty politican. I just wish we could get a really ambitious mayor focused on local issues, not so obsessed with ceding Antwerp to another country.
The man who achieved nothing at all. He’s won multiple elections, had every opportunity to become PM but never did because it’s a lot easier to complain from the sidelines.
BDW is like Di Rupo in Wallonia – immortal.
He will likely never drop in popularity, unless he decides for himself to quit politics.
You vote for shit you start to adore shit…
This criminal should be in jail for knowing for years that people live on cancer inducing grounds. He decided to not reveal this fact because it would harm ‘his’ prestigious project in Antwerp. The criminal gangs he’s part of are called NVA and Lantis.