Local elections: winners and losers
"I feel that these good results should also allow us to take part in the administration of more municipalities". Speaking shortly after 8 PM Mr Van Besien said: "Our target was 70 council seats. We've already taken 67 seats. I think Flanders was ready for something new. In the municipalities too a different kind of administration is needed. Voters are demanding change and we will provide a mobility policy that puts people first and a strong social policy."
Flemish socialist leader Bruno Tobback has conceded that his party had expected the mixed result that it got on Sunday: "Where we take part in the local administration, on the whole, we have gained ground. Look at Ghent. On the whole we did very well in 2006. In comparison with that year we did less well. Progressive co-operation with the ecologists of Groen is working in many places."
Liberal Vincent Van Quickenborne is relatively satisfied with the national results: "Where there is a liberal mayor we maintain our position. The result is better than predicted. The Open VLD is a ship going through difficult waters".
The far right Vlaams Belang is the big loser in these elections. Leader Bruno Valkeniers conceded Sunday was a painful defeat: "For many years we served as the icebreaker and now other parties are making the gains."
