It is common for candidates to change their place of residence just before a municipal election. We may see this as opportunism, but it is perfectly legal, subject to certain conditions. But is it necessarily a winning bet?
In 2005, just before the municipal elections, Laurette Onkelinx, originally from Liège, moved to Schaerbeek. For political reasons, this event occurs at each municipal election. In 2006, Olivier Menegnon left the city of Brussels for Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. Christophe Collignon, in 2010, moved his home from Amay. Or Didier Reynders, who moved from Liège to Uccle in 2012.
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,The party’s strategies are“, says Pascal Delvit, political scientist at the ULB.”Trying to strengthen themselves in places that we consider important, which often relate to cities. Or it is sometimes the choice of political figures who are blocked in a municipality by a competitor from their own party or by a competitor from another party, and who therefore usually try to re-establish themselves in a municipality that is a fairly border city.,
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This practice is authorized, but the domicile must be effective two months before the day of the municipal election. Even if it is legal, this tactic does not always result in electoral success.”The person must be a bonafide resident of the municipality“, says the political scientist.”This was one of the problems with Loret Onkelinx. Very quickly it was said that she actually lives in Lasne, not in Schaerbeek. So, of course, a part of the population says that this is a move of convenience, that this is not her real home.”
Laurette Onkelinx was also defeated in Schaerbeek in 2006.
municipal elections 2024