State secretary for asylum Maggie De Block has highest approval rating

Maggie De Block of the liberal Open VLD party has been chosen “most popular politician” in Flanders in a poll carried out by De Morgen and VTM. The tough-talking state secretary for asylum and migration knocked previous winner Kris Peeters into second place (with 65% approval to Peeters’ 62%), with N-VA president Bart De Wever in third position (57%). Prime minister Elio di Rupo was ranked in fourth place in the poll.

“I’m very pleased that people appreciate my work,” De Block said on hearing the result. Speaking at last weekend’s party congress, De Block said her new position was an encouragement for Open VLD. “It’s good to have a liberal back at number one and that the glass ceiling is lying in pieces. The future for the liberals has never been so bright.”