Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has announced his resignation after his party suffered a significant defeat in both national and European parliamentary elections. The 48-year-old leader tearfully made the announcement in Brussels, taking responsibility for the disappointing outcome.
De Croo expressed his disappointment, stating, “I was the figurehead of this campaign. This is not the result I had hoped for, and I therefore take responsibility for this result.” He further added, “As of tomorrow, I will be resigning as prime minister and I will fully concentrate on current affairs.”
The Open VLD party led by De Croo did not perform well in the European Parliament elections, receiving only 5.8% of the vote according to RTBF polling. The far-right Vlaams Belang party and the Flemish nationalist N-VA party secured significantly higher percentages, tying at 14.8% and 14.2% respectively.
In his resignation address, De Croo emphasized the need for a new government with full powers to address Belgium’s tasks effectively. He pledged to facilitate a smooth transfer of power to his successor.
The EU elections, spanning 27 member states, represent a massive democratic exercise with nearly 400 million voters. The outcome of these elections will influence policies on global issues such as climate change, defense, migration, and international relations with major players like China and the United States.
The geopolitical landscape has evolved significantly since the last European elections in 2019, with conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war highlighting the EU’s role in maintaining peace and stability. The upcoming transition in Belgium’s leadership adds to the dynamics shaping Europe’s political future.
Sources By Agencies
