Sophie Wilmès will lead the European list for the French-speaking liberal party MR. Chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez announced this during a press conference on Saturday.
MR had to review its lists after European Council president Charles Michel, who was supposed to be at the top of the European list, withdrew his candidacy for the European Parliament. European Commissioner Didier Reynders also declined a place on the list.
Sophie Wilmès, initially set to lead the Chamber list in Brussels, is now shifting to the European list. "Everyone has made both a personal choice and a choice for the team" after Michel's withdrawal, Wilmès said on Saturday.
Federal vs. European level
She emphasized that her candidacy "is not a departure to Europe," as events in recent years have shown that European issues have an impact on daily life, such as the recent farmers' protests.
When asked if returning to the federal level is possible after the elections, Wilmès replied that the European Parliament "is two metro stops away from our party, so I am not far away."
She will compete, among others, against another French-speaking former prime minister, Elio Di Rupo
Bouchez, on the other hand, stated that Wilmès, popular in the polls, can "lead MR throughout the entire French community, in support of a whole series of lead candidates." She will compete, among others, against another French-speaking former prime minister, Elio Di Rupo (PS).
Valérie Glatigny, former minister for Higher Education in the government of the French community, leads the Chamber list for the French-speaking liberals in Brussels. "I have always been interested in federal matters," said the Brussels politician. According to her party chairman, Glatigny brings the "necessary strength and impact" to MR at the federal level. Moreover, the two already announced lead candidates for the regional Brussels list, David Leisterh and Hadja Lahbib, remain in place.
댓글