After 9 years as a minister, Maggie De Block returns to the House. But she will not become a “normal” Member of Parliament. De Block will now lead the Open VLD fraction.
–
The 12-member liberal group appointed Maggie De Block on Saturday as parliamentary party leader. The ex-minister knows the House through and through. Before she became a minister, she had been there for 12 years, from 1999 to 2011.
“I thank colleagues for their confidence and as a coach I will assist all our new and experienced members of parliament in parliamentary work,” she said in a statement on Saturday.
So it will not be Patrick Dewael again who will lead the faction. He is due to leave the House of Representatives next week – and will be succeeded by Éliane Tillieux (PS) – but reportedly did not feel like returning to his old position.
The mayor of Tongeren chooses a free role. “In my parliamentary career I led the liberal group for 17 years. Of course I will continue to make full use of my freedom of speech in the coming years, certainly also in defense of our prime minister and government. ” Dewael will chair a parliamentary committee.
– .
