Vandemaele’s name has been circulating in recent weeks as a possible candidate for chairman of Groen. He stood out in Parliament over the past year and a half with strong opposition in the Internal Affairs Committee, including in files such as i-Police or discrimination in Aalter under now ex-mayor Pieter De Crem.
Team formation
After consultation and thought, he has decided not to compete for the presidency. He wants to be part of the future of the party, but for the time being he wants to do so from parliament, he says. “I am going to further challenge the right-wing conservative project of the De Wever government.”
According to Vandemaele, the new party chairman must work on “a real team setup”. “It is my deepest belief that this is the only way we can conquer hearts: a team with a clear message, different styles and a focus on the big political battle,” he says in an Instagram post.
March 28
Federal party leader at Groen Stefaan Vanhecke is also suitable for the chairmanship, he said on Monday. Flemish Member of Parliament Bogdan Vanden Berghe is the only candidate chairman at Groen for the time being. All candidates out of 24 will be announced. On March 28 we will know who will succeed current chairman Bart Dhondt.
