According to the former councilor of the town, Koyuncu is not the most flamboyant politician. Former Brussels MP Els Rochette (Vooruit.brussels) puts it this way: “He is one of the few MPs with whom I have not been in contact so I do not know very well. It’s amazing, because he’s been a Member of Parliament for ten years.”
“If I were a member of the PS, I would not have put him forward as a candidate for mayor. As the mayor of such a large town, you have to stand firmly on your feet,” said the former town councillor. “But I can imagine at the PS that they didn’t expect Clerfayt to do that badly. And a- now we have to continue with Koyuncu”.
‘coyuncu managed’
According to a business newspaper Garbage so it is not him, but Harzé who is the real brain behind his mayor. When we call Koyuncu for an answer, he takes us to her.
No wonder a French socialist from Brussels could speak BRUZZ. “As mayor, Koyuncu will be well-rounded and that is essential. In June, many potential PS employees lost their jobs. The party will definitely be able to find a good cabinet chief there, which Koyuncu can do management. In the meantime, he will play his role and do and say what his cabinet tells him,” is his harsh assessment.
According to French newspapers, Koyuncu’s supporters mainly include conservative Turkish Muslims in Schaerbeek. Koyuncu was mostly in the news for intercultural events. For example, it was Koyuncu in the middle of February imam to the Brussels parliament for a visit. With that the imam recited a Koranic verse on the pulpit. Koyuncu had to defend himself afterwards and said that he fully supports the idea of the separation of Church and State.
In addition, Koyuncu was disparaged in 2015 as he observed the moment of silence for the centenary of the Armenian Genocide try to cancel. Under the pressure of PS, it became a moment of silence for the Armenians, or refugees, who had died in the Mediterranean Sea that year. The word ‘genocide’ was not mentioned.
Turkish Supporters
The two former politicians who spoke to BRUZZ agree that Koyuncu is very popular in the Turkish community. But the Schaarbeek source denies that Koyuncu is a conservative Islamist. “In my experience, he doesn’t really care about religion. But he stands strong for his community, his supporters.”
The PS member who spoke to BRUZZ confirms that image. “I doubt he is a socialist. Koyuncu rides for his own community. If he has financial problems, he comes up with social suggestions. But he also gets along well with project developers and entrepreneurs.”
He warns against a regime that is designed specifically for one population group in the city if Koyuncu comes to power. “When a certain community becomes so dominant in a city, it no longer cares about the rest, and that is now happening in Schaarbeek as well.”
But Justine Harzé is tired of the accusations of ‘communitarianism’ and Turkish favoritism against her party leader. “Hasan Koyuncu will be the mayor for all Schaarbeek residents,” she says “With more than 3,800 votes, his score speaks for itself.
“It has suffered from too much politicking of specific proposals. For example, his suggestion to take the driving test in other languages. Isn’t that a good way to integrate people who don’t speak Dutch? Having a driver’s license in their pocket will make it easier for them to find work, which is good for integrating them into society, and good for poor communities that need that support.” “Anyone who accuses Koyuncu of standing up for the Turkish community alone is reducing him to his origins,” Harzé said firmly.
2024-10-18 10:52:00
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