Brussels - Grote Markt Traditional parties slide as green parties, left and far-right parties flourish
The October local elections saw a record number of female candidates being elected throughout the country. In Brussels 339, 48.8%, of seats were won by women. Auderghem, a southestern municipality of the capital region, saw the highest percentage of female candidates elected with 20 our of the 31 seats.
The Brussels Times: new record amount of female candidates
Despite a 2017 scandals involving Brussels former mayor Yvan Mayeur, the Socialist Party remained the strongest political force in Wallonia, losing only one seat.
The election overall however was marked by gains for green, leftist and far right parties. For green movements, both Ecolo in Wallonia as well as Groen in the Flemish Region gained ground in strong showings.
EURACTIV: Traditional parties hammered in Belgian local election
In the Flemish Region, despite the gains for the green party, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), a party that wants to break up Belgium, maintained their number one spot.
On the left the Workers Party (PVDA-PTB), in contrast to most other parties operating as a single Belgian party, also had strong showing throughout the country.