Council of State sees no major objections to decree that could remove Antwerp deputy Jinnih Beels

The Council of State (Raad van State), the top Belgian body that advises on the legality of draft legislation, has published its advice on a decree that would allow Jinnih Beels to be removed from the Antwerp provincial council. It sees no fundamental legal or substantive objections, only some technical remarks. The advice, published on Wednesday 28 October 2026, clears the way for the Flemish Parliament to handle the decree.

The emergency decree (spoeddecreet) would make a motion of no confidence possible in provincial councils. Such a procedure already exists at municipal level but not yet at provincial level. According to Het Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen, the majority parties Vooruit, CD&V and N-VA are behind the decree.

Background

Vooruit's party leadership decided in early October to officially sever ties with Beels, citing persistent complaints about disloyal behaviour. Beels sits as a provincial deputy (gedeputeerde) in the Antwerp provincial government and did not intend to give up her mandate voluntarily. Vooruit worked out an arrangement under which her seat could be taken over by CD&V.

Discussion and vote on the decree were postponed in early October after the opposition asked for advice from the Council of State first.

Reactions

Vlaams Belang sees problems in the advice. Group leader Chris Janssens says the Council of State confirms that democratic rules should not be rewritten in a hurry to solve an internal party conflict. He says the decree has led to legally flawed work and that the Flemish Government is now facing the consequences of a rushed attempt.

Vooruit group leader Kris Verduyckt says the advice contains no fundamental substantive objections, because the proposed procedure is the same as the one for Flemish municipalities. He said all parties agreed with the proposal itself before it was linked to Beels.

Next steps

The decree is to be added to the agenda of the plenary session on Wednesday 4 November 2026. After that, it will follow the normal parliamentary procedure, with treatment in the competent committee. Discussion and vote on the decree itself are therefore expected only after the autumn holiday.