Fresh research from Ghent University reveals that politicians of foreign heritage are underrepresented in the newly elected municipal councils of the 13 biggest Flemish cities. Although about a third of Flemings in the main cities are of foreign heritage, the number of elected politicians with a migration background remains limited: no more than 11.7 per cent.
15.5 per cent of candidates in the 13 biggest Flemish cities were of foreign heritage during the 13 October poll. The figure is slightly higher than in 2018, when the percentage was 14.3 per cent. Especially in smaller cities, more candidates with a migration background stood in comparison to six years ago.
However, researcher Robin Devroe (UGent) believes the figures are starting to stagnate, especially in cities like Antwerp and Ghent. ‘The number of candidates with a migration background rose for a long time, but now we see that we have reached a kind of plateau.’
Compared to the number of citizens with a migration background, that figure is also low, says Robin Devroe. In the 13 main cities, an average of 34.4 per cent of citizens have a migration background. ‘So, we see that individuals with a migration background are significantly underrepresented compared to their share in the population.’
Fewer candidates with migration background elected
Underrepresentation becomes even more pronounced when looking at the number of elected candidates. On average, 11.7 per cent of the councillors elected in big cities have a migration background. This is a slight decrease compared to 2018, when some 12.4 per cent of elected candidates had foreign heritage.
The number of elected candidates with a migration background also decreased in almost every city. Only in Leuven, Sint-Niklaas, Hasselt and Bruges did more people with a migration background get elected in the last elections compared to 6 years ago.
‘There were more candidates with a migration background. People certainly have the choice to vote for candidates from an immigrant background, but we see that in the end fewer candidates get elected.’
‘The Belgian population is becoming more diverse, but we don't see that diversity in these lists of candidates, and certainly not when we look at the composition of the municipal councils in the main cities in Flanders. They are predominantly white with people with no migration background,’ Mr Devroe concludes.
End of compulsory attendance the culprit?
According to Dr Devroe, it is hard to give a clear explanation for the decline. ‘We assume the fact citizens are no longer obliged to attend a polling place could be one of the possible explanations’.
‘From international research, we know that certain groups of voters are no longer inclined to vote if they are not obliged to do so. Voters with migration backgrounds are one of the groups most at risk of dropping out.’
Dr Devroe believes fewer candidates with a migration background being on the lists and getting elected is also the result of parties forming local alliances and campaigning on joint lists. ‘If there are fewer lists, they will also be less diverse, and choice will further be limited in this way.’
Role models important for belief in politics
These results are not good for people’s belief in politics says Dr Devroe. ‘We know from research that the presence of people with a similar profile to the population at large helps citizens have more trust in politics. These role models play a very big role.’
‘If we notice little success in bringing the diversity, which does exist in our society into political parties and municipal councils, this could potentially have pernicious consequences for the extent to which citizens with a migration background identify with the political system,’ Dr Devroe concludes.