Antwerp has welcomed its new interim mayor, Els van Doesburg, marking a historic moment for the city as she becomes both the youngest mayor and the first to be born outside Belgium. The 35-year-old politician, who hails from Soest, Netherlands, stepped up to take on this pivotal role following Bart De Wever's transition to Prime Minister of Belgium earlier this month.
Van Doesburg was sworn in on February 24, 2025, by the Antwerp city council. Taking over from De Wever, who remains the titular mayor, Van Doesburg is poised to lead with the same ideology as her predecessor, aiming to continue his 12-year legacy. "We are ideologically related to one another," she stated, signaling her intent to uphold the core principles guiding the city during De Wever's tenure.
Having grown up near Antwerp after relocating at the age of 11, Van Doesburg's political career blossomed after she became part of the city council for the liberal-conservative N-VA party in 2018. Her prior achievements as alderman (schepen) of Housing and Urban Maintenance garnered her significant public attention, particularly due to her work on major urban initiatives, including fending against littering and spearheading a major hospital merger.
Her political prowess shone brightly during the municipal elections, where she garnered 13,045 votes, making her the most voted council member after De Wever. This overwhelming support from constituents played a significant role in her selection as the interim mayor, according to sources from Gazet van Antwerpen.
Antwerp residents currently seem to have trust and optimism toward Van Doesburg’s leadership, with local official Patrick Janssens commenting, "Els van Doesburg is enjoying a state of grace, and that's positive." This sentiment suggests there is room for her to establish her mark as the new leader of the second-largest city in Belgium.
Adding another layer of personal interest to her inauguration, Van Doesburg is also preparing for motherhood, expecting her first child later this year. She expressed her enthusiasm for taking on both motherhood and the responsibilities of mayoral duties simultaneously. "It’s like I’m becoming a mother twice this year," Van Doesburg candidly remarked, reflecting her commitment to both her personal and public roles.
While she anticipates facing the usual challenges of civic leadership, she has assured the public of her full dedication to the role of mayor. "I want to fully embrace the role of mayor," she emphasized, showing her readiness to take on the responsibilities associated with leading Antwerp.
With the city set to undergo significant changes and initiatives during her term, the eyes of constituents and political observers will be closely watching how Els van Doesburg navigates her new position, balancing the weighty obligations of governance alongside her forthcoming family duties. Her early leadership style and policies may set the tone for Antwerp's future as she begins this dual chapter, both as the new mayor and as a soon-to-be mother.