Around twenty Leuven students gathered to follow the mid-term elections in the US at a ‘watch party’ last night. The students don’t want to miss a thing about the US elections and have a fun evening. “You don’t want to look back at history later and have to say that you weren’t paying attention at the time.”
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Leuven students follow the US mid-term elections
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Shortly after the advertised start of the watch party, Noir Coffeebar was already filling up nicely for the ‘watch party’ organised by CDS, the Christian Democrat student association in Leuven. A projector beams CNN’s coverage onto a blank wall. Around twenty students follow every update closely, some with a beer in hand.
Law student Emnet Chane (19) likes to keep up to date with current affairs. “These are things that stay with you. There are people who lived through the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. You don’t want to look back at history later and have to admit that you weren’t paying attention at the time.”
Impact on Belgium
Mats De Windt (22) agrees. He’s also studying law. “The mid-terms are absolutely crucial. What happens in America has an impact on Europe and on Belgium. As a student, I also think it’s important to keep up to date with what’s going on. And it’s a great atmosphere here, too.”
For Mats, there’s certainly something at stake. “If the Republicans were to win, I’d go home feeling rather down. I really hope the Democrats can pull it off, even in deep-red states like Texas. Trump’s policies need to be reined in.”
Around the table, the conversations are about – what else? – politics. The Belgian budget and the possibility of fresh elections here also come up. Reinout Schellis (22) would love to see that happen. He is president of CDS Leuven and helped organise the watch party. “Politics is a big topic among students, especially those studying law, political science and history.”
To further spark that interest, CDS organised a number of activities. “We’ve put together a short presentation on James Talarico, the Democratic candidate in Texas. He’s very close to CDS’s heart. There’ll be a bit of debate as well. Our society aims to be a sort of political forum. It’ll also be a bit more light-hearted, with a few games thrown in.”
Positive outlook
The students discussed the possible outcomes of the elections, with some scenarios more pessimistic than others. “I’m not particularly worried,” says Emnet. “Every now and then I can get really worked up about what’s happening in America, but I try to stay positive.”
“If you know a bit about history, you realise that democracy is never entirely stable,” says the student. “Besides, there are wars and genocides going on that worry me more.”
Heading for the Oude Markt
CDS president Reinout is already planning a follow-up to the watch party. “If Talarico wins, we’ll head over to the Oude Markt, (the old market square and a favourite student haunt), and buy a round or two. If he loses, we’ll have to drown our sorrows there. Either way, we’re going to enjoy the elections.”