The Vlaams Belang party has recently gained significant political power, achieving an absolute majority in Ninove and entering a second majority in Ranst, a municipality in the province of Antwerp.

As a result of these developments, the CD&V revoked the party membership of those members, as they were part of an inactive local section in Ranst.

Mahdi firmly stated that the CD&V will never collaborate with the extreme right, regardless of local political dynamics.

Echoing this sentiment, Eva De Bleeker from Open Vld confirmed that their party also will not work with the extreme right.

Mahdi clarified that the decision to ally with Vlaams Belang was made by a local party, not the supralocal parties, which have rejected cooperation with extremist groups.

In response to this rise, the CD&V and Open VLD parties have excluded their members from local lists PIT and Vrij Ranst, which formed an agreement with Vlaams Belang.

This situation highlights ongoing political tensions and discussions surrounding the influence of extreme right parties in local governance.

Despite these local alliances, CD&V President Sammy Mahdi emphasized that the party's 'sanitary cordon' against extremist parties remains intact.

He pointed out that Vlaams Belang only received 14% of the votes in Ranst and did not win the elections outright.

Mahdi expressed disappointment that other parties, including those with former CD&V and Open Vld members, did not form a majority coalition to prevent Vlaams Belang's rise.

Mahdi noted that three CD&V members had joined the new PIT project, which is allied with Vlaams Belang, but their decision was not supported by the party council.

Reflecting on past political dynamics, Mahdi recalled that there was little reaction six years ago when the sp.a formed a coalition with PVDA in Zelzate.