“Not the club I want to belong to”: Open VLD faction leader Schiltz lashes out at party leadership and chairman Tom Ongena | Domestic

The list formation of Open Vld in Antwerp promises to be difficult, now that Paul Van Tigchelt is also involved in the debates. The decision will be made by the provincial government on Wednesday evening. Schiltz was a candidate for both lists, but is now withdrawing and proposing to appoint MP Marianne Verhaert as Flemish party leader. That would mean that chairman Tom Ongena is not in first place.

“I am deeply disappointed with how little respect was shown to Gwendolyn (red, the non-appointment of Rutten as Minister of Justice), as well as the party leadership,” says Schiltz. “Especially given that we are coming out of a difficult period, in which we appointed a new chairman using an artifice. At such a moment, the party leadership must understand that they have to put more effort into reaching consensual decisions, not even less. In the age of women, this hurts even more.”

For Schiltz there is “only one suitable candidate”: Marianne Verhaert. “With her efforts as mayor in Grobbendonk and the necessary experience as a Member of Parliament, Marianne has sufficiently demonstrated her qualities. Marianne must become the absolute leader of our province.” According to the faction leader, “Tom Ongena, as party chairman, can then fully support her. That is a real choice for the party.”

The Antwerp liberal hopes to secure a place for himself on the European and local Antwerp list. Last month he was a candidate for European party leader, but that leading position went to current European Parliament member Hilde Vautmans. The chance that the Flemish liberals can win more than one seat in the European Parliament is – given the poor polls – rather small.

“The European list offers me no certainty of a mandate,” Schiltz also realizes. “And it will also be an uphill battle in Antwerp. I have been a member of parliament for the Open Vld for 16 years now and have always been loyal. It is out of loyalty to the party and my belief in liberal values ​​that put people first that I make this choice.”