The man set to become the new Mayor of the East Flemish town of Ninove Guy D'Haeseleer has responded to the decision by the prosecutor’s office to open an investigation into possible electoral fraud. The prosecutor’s office won’t be more specific. However, sources say that the investigation is into alleged fraud with proxy votes.
Man set to be Flanders’ first far-right Mayor responds to electoral fraud investigation
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In a reaction Guy D'Haeseleer (Forza Nivove) said that “I can’t say anything about it. I have asked for information, and I have been told that it is about proxy votes. What exactly the issue is I can’t say”.
"If people are ill or on holiday they can give someone else a proxy vote. I think that this happens everywhere. I think that all candidates receive proxy votes from people. I had them too. If people call and say ‘look, I am on holiday can I give you a proxy vote?’ This is completely legal, isn’t it? That is what proxy votes are for”.
"I think that it is strange that this is has become the source of discussion now that Forza Ninove has a majority”.
"I Hope that N-VA will work with us"
Forza Ninove is the local branch of the far-right party Vlaams Belang. The party has an absolute majority and as such there is no doubt that Mr D'haeseleer will become Mayor. This would make him Vlaams Belang’s first ever Mayor. Although Forza Ninove can govern alone, Mr D’Haeseleer wants the the Flemish nationalist party N-VA to join his party in a coalition.
"Before the election I said that I want cooperation between the Flemish nationalist parties".