Far-right given boost as Antwerp council resigns
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The entire Antwerp council, including its Mayor, resigned yesterday in a scandal over buying perfume, clothes and shoes on official credit cards, to the delight of Belgium's outcast far-right party, the Vlaams Blok.
Two months before a Belgian general election, the furore has been a godsend to the extremist Blok, which has been excluded from power in Antwerp even though it won 33 per cent of the vote in municipal elections in October 2000.
The daily newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen provoked the storm last month with a report that officials responsible for the police were suspected of fraud. The claims were initially denied.
On Wednesday, the Blok's leader, Filip Dewinter, provided evidence that credit cards issued by the city had been used to buy goods and services for thousands of euros, including suits, hats, handbags, perfumes, birth announcement cards, shoes, a weekend in a hotel and a set of glasses.
An offer to repay the cash did not prove enough to abate criticism, leading to yesterday's mass resignation. Mr Dewinter welcomed the move but said he feared a "whitewash" that would not bring any real change in the city government.
The Mayor, Léona Detiège, said she would remain in office in a caretaker capacity. She and the 10 councillors who quit denied any wrongdoing.
The revelations are deeply damaging to the mainstream parties because a rainbow coalition had kept the Blok out of power. The anti-immigration Blok can now trumpet itself as the only important political force untainted by corruption.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments