Van Besien announces his career switch in an interview with De Zondag. “I continue to believe in politics. It’s fascinating and important. But I’m tired of the spectacle. And I haven’t missed it for a second,” he says. The 48-year-old from Antwerp was not re-elected in the Flemish Parliament last year. He will certainly remain a municipal councilor in Antwerp, but it is still being discussed whether he will also remain party leader.
In an explanation to Belga, Van Besien explains his switch to the banking sector. A different approach by financiers is an important key to a sustainable economy, he says. VDK Bank, a savings bank with roots in the Christian labor movement, occupies “a unique place” with its approach, according to Van Besien. “At VDK there is no fixation on short-term profit. They aim for a fair return, which in the long term is good not only for the bank, but also for customers, employees and society.”
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