CD&V will not cooperate with Vlaams Belang. Party chairman Sammy Mahdi emphasized this on Sunday in ‘De Zevende Dag’ on VRT1 in a response to an earlier statement by his Vlaams Belang colleague that he wants to talk not only with N-VA but also with CD&V after the elections.
Last Sunday, Tom Van Grieken stated that if his party becomes the largest after the elections in Flanders, he is prepared to enter into discussions with all parties. Although he believes the greatest opportunity for cooperation lies with N-VA, he also emphasized that he sees similarities with CD&V. He specifically referred to socio-economic aspects, where both parties position themselves in the center, and ethical issues where they already work together successfully.
But Sammy Mahdi firmly rejected Van Grieken’s offer on Sunday. “We will not cooperate with Vlaams Belang. For that party, Flemish interests become Chinese interests,” he referred to the revelations surrounding Frank Creyelman. He has since been expelled from the party, but Filip Dewinter, who is also said to have dubious Chinese contacts, was given a place on the list, Mahdi noted.
In addition, Mahdi also referred to statements by Dewinter in ‘Humo’ and the statement at the election congress that the “message of (founder-chairman) Karel Dillen is still the message of the party”. “Dillen was proud to be described as a fascist,” said the CD&V chairman.
WATCH ALSO. Tom Van Grieken in VTM NEWS about complaint, Chinese espionage and dictators
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