According to political journalist Hannelore Simoens “an indirect way – a bit on his ‘CD&V’s’ – to go against Mahdi, who no longer has faith in the judiciary”. “I hear behind the scenes that she was really upset about the video. There is also the feeling that Mahdi has not read up on the file and has tried to surf on the popular anger surrounding the Giant Gom process.”
In any case, Mahdi was able to score with the video – more than 500,000 TikTokkers watched his video and many young people were also positive about his statements, but Simoens warns that he “risks getting popular anger against him and politicians in general.”
According to Verlinden, the video will be discussed internally: should Mahdi then fear for his position as party chairman. Simoens does not think so, “because there is simply no alternative for him”, she emphasizes. “It remains silent. No one to criticize openly, but no one to defend him either. Everyone wants to put that fuss behind them as soon as possible. CD&V can of course do without internal division”. Nevertheless, “Mahdi will not have to lash out a second time”, concludes Simoens.