Bart De Wever: 'Being Flemish and Turkish are two perfectlycomplementary identities.'

Fedactio's Active Citizenschip Project which is called 'Antwerp 2018' started in May with a first meeting in Fedactio Antwerp. The project 'Antwerp 2018' aims to raise awareness on active citizenship, before the municipal elections in October. About 150 representatives of civil society organizations were present at the meeting with Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and also mayoral candidate of Antwerp.

Fedactio Antwerp welcomed the head of the party N-VA, Bart De Wever on Thursday 24 May. De Wever gave comments on the elections and declared the vision of his party. In his speech De Wever explained that “Previously the notion of being Flemish dismissed ‘Turkish’, ‘Moroccan' or ‘Muslim’ identities. This is the wrong approach but it can be adjusted through dialogue. Fedactio offers the possibility of dialogue”.

De Wever talked about social mobility and the importance of education and the activity rate of the population. The mayoral candidate declared that 51% of the unemployed and 67% of the applicants at the CPAS are citizens from foreign origin. De Wever also talked about the headscarf prohibition for the staff of the city hall and some companies and added that “The limiting of religious freedom can only happen if it is 'reasonable' and 'proportionate'.