Brussels Socialist Leader Faces Criticism Over Power Grab

Rising tensions within the party as voices grow more radical.

A prominent socialist politician in Brussels, Julien Uyttendaele, has publicly criticized the direction of his former party, citing the rise of radical and populist voices and accusing a fellow leader of prioritizing personal ambition over party interests.

Accusations of Radicalization

Uyttendaele, formerly a PS MP who voted to prohibit slaughter, voiced his concerns in an interview with Breakthrough. He attributed his growing distance from the party to what he perceives as an increase in “radical and populist” elements. He suggested that Ahmed Laaouej, a significant figure in Brussels politics, is influenced by radical voices within the Muslim community to bolster his power.

In 2023, the Muslim population in Brussels was estimated to be 34.4% of the total population, a notable demographic factor in the city’s political landscape Pew Research Center, 2017.

Clash Over Political Strategy

According to Uyttendaele, Laaouej’s opposition to including the N-VA in a Brussels government is misguided and inadvertently amplifies the N-VA’s influence. He downplayed the potential impact of the N-VA holding two seats in the Brussels parliament, suggesting that Laaouej’s resistance is disproportionate.

Prime Ministerial Ambitions?

Uyttendaele suspects Laaouej of harboring ambitions beyond just shaping the Brussels government. “He just wants to become a prime minister,” Uyttendaele stated, suggesting that Laaouej is willing to create political gridlock in Brussels to advance his career.

“It is relatively simple: either there is now a blocking of Brussels and Laaouej will eventually become prime minister in 2029, or he manages to keep blocking the Brussels institutions stubbornly. Always price.” said Uyttendaele.

Lack of Internal Opposition

Uyttendaele believes intervention from the National Party Top is unlikely, as few dare to voice dissent, with the exception of Rachid Madrane and himself. He claims the party’s hierarchical structure discourages criticism unless Paul Magnette, a key figure on the Walloon side, takes the lead, which Uyttendaele deems improbable. He suggests that the PS has effectively lost control of its Brussels branch.

Two Centers of Power

Uyttendaele characterizes the PS as having two power centers: Paul Magnette in Wallonia and Laaouej in Brussels. He contends that while the national party interest used to take precedence, that is no longer the case since Laaouej assumed leadership of the Brussels department.