The first meeting of the new municipal council in Heist-op-den-Berg (Antwerp Province) saw a very special moment last night: Nicolas Vanwinsen (33), the first ever councillor with Down syndrome to be elected, took the oath of office. During municipal council meetings, local Christian democrat party leader Wim Verhoeven will give him support. ‘I have prepared him for the busy atmosphere during the first meeting,’ Wim explained.
Nicolas Vanwinsen (33), who is diagnosed with Down syndrome, secured 663 preferential votes on the CD&V list and became Belgium’s first ever elected councillor with Down syndrome.
Under the watchful eye of the large crowd that had turned up yesterday evening, Nicolas took the oath as a councillor. His mentor and leader of the local CD&V branch Wim Verhoeven guided him through the exciting evening. ‘We practised a bit beforehand. He was able to take the oath pretty quickly without looking at a note.’
Mr Verhoeven did not get elected on 13 October and will sit next to Nicolas as his companion and confidant during municipal council meetings. In doing so, he will never be allowed to take a position himself.
‘The party has already drawn up a policy programme with coalition partner PRO Heist. You see that Nicolas is extremely attentive and wants to focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities. We are talking about sports for people with disabilities and accessibility in general.’