Egbert Lachaert, former leader of the Flemish liberal party, will sit in the Flemish Parliament as an independent. Announcing the move on social media, he described it as one of the most difficult decisions of his political career.
Home News
Former liberal party leader Lachaert to sit as independent
Published:
“From this week onwards, I will no longer be representing Anders, but will sit as an independent Member of the Flemish Parliament,” he wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening. “After 13 years of service as an elected representative, and as long before that as an activist and volunteer, this is by no means an easy decision.”
There were many reasons for the decision, he said: “Substantive, organisational and, above all, personal. A number of events over the past few weeks were the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Lachaert was leader of the Flemish liberals, then called Open VLD, between 2020 and 2023. Ten days ago, he announced that he was stepping down as parliamentary group leader in the Flemish Parliament.
“After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that the freedom of being an independent Member of Parliament will give me much more scope to represent the views of my constituents,” said Lachaert, whose liberalism remains “strongly present”.
“I’m not going to dwell on this decision any further,” he added. “It was painful to read certain things in the newspapers that came from within my own party, but it is better to hold on to the good memories and friendships,” he said.
A number of events over the past few weeks were the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back
There has been criticism of his decision from party colleagues. “I cannot understand this,” said Marino Keulen, mayor of Lanaken and former minister. “He was party leader, was given that opportunity, and he stepped down from that role early too. And now he’s quietly leaving the party late on a Sunday evening. That’s simply disloyal.”
Keulen had previously had little bad to say about Lachaert. “It’s a loss. He comes from a family of long-standing liberals and was regarded in parliament as an expert on the labour market. Even as leader, he was quite approachable.”
As well as being a member of the Flemish Parliament, Lachaert is mayor of Merelbeke-Melle in East Flanders. His father, Patrick, was an active liberal politician. Former Flemish minister Dirk Van Mechelen asked. “What would PL [Patrick Lachaert] think of this?”