The end of the cordon sanitaire: Bart Goris and PIT unite with Vlaams Belang for local governance
On October 19, 2024, in a significant political shift in Belgium, Bart Goris, a key figure in the local political landscape, confirmed that the so-called “cordon sanitaire” against the far-right Vlaams Belang has been broken in Ranst, a municipality in the province of Antwerp. Following a resounding victory in Ninove, where Vlaams Belang secured an absolute majority, the party has now entered a second governing coalition, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
The local political party PIT, led by former liberal mayor Lode Hofmans, has decided to forge an alliance with Vlaams Belang and the liberal party Vrij Ranst. Goris, who is poised to become the next mayor of Ranst, emphasized that their collaboration focuses on local governance rather than national politics. He stated, “I tried calling the N-VA several times, but they did not pick up.” His comments highlight a growing rift in local political ties and the evolving dynamics in Belgian governance.
Christel Engelen from Vlaams Belang expressed pride in this development, underscoring the fracturing of the longstanding cordon sanitaire that has historically isolated far-right parties in Belgium. In the recent elections, the PIT list secured nine out of the 25 communal council seats, exceeding the N-VA’s presence, which has been led by the current mayor Johan De Ryck. Additionally, Vlaams Belang won three seats, while Vrij Ranst also claimed three.
Goris elaborated on the coalition-building process: “Last week, we discussed with all other parties in Ranst. With Vrij Ranst, we quickly reached an agreement because our platforms are largely aligned. However, we needed a third partner for a majority. There were too many fundamental disagreements with Groen. The N-VA did not show a willingness to continue negotiations. The Vlaams Belang, on the other hand, took a constructive approach, which ultimately led to this agreement.”
In response to this political pivot, established parties such as Open VLD and CD&V have taken decisive actions by excluding local members who have aligned with this newfound coalition. Eva De Bleeker from Open VLD and Sammy Mahdi from CD&V announced that the members’ affiliations would be revoked, asserting that their party’s democratic principles surpass the importance of securing local political positions.
Ranst marks the second municipality where Vlaams Belang will hold power, following Ninove. However, this new alliance is notable as it represents a break in the political cordon sanitaire in a way that Ninove does not, where Vlaams Belang will govern independently without coalition partners. According to political analyst Laura Jacobs, “This is a governance agreement, meaning Vlaams Belang acts as a junior partner, with one deputy mayor position.”
Jacobs pointed out that while some might argue that local parties have not formally signed an agreement to break the cordon sanitaire, the association of local parties with Vlaams Belang signals a significant shift in the political landscape. She remarked that the power of Vlaams Belang in Ranst will likely be limited, given its junior partnership status, implying they may exert less influence in the governance process.
Despite potential restrictions, Vlaams Belang remains optimistic. Party leader Tom Van Grieken hailed this event as a “historic alliance,” igniting hopes of a “domino effect” in local politics similar to the triumph experienced in Ninove, where Guy D’haeseleer’s success inspired a resurgence of far-right participation.
This evolving story reflects the complexities of local governance in Belgium as parties reassess their alliances and the implications of their collaboration with Vlaams Belang, a party traditionally viewed with skepticism. As the political landscape shifts, the implications for future governance in Belgium will warrant close scrutiny.
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