Chloë Van Hoegaerden and Jasmine De Clerck in conversation on leadership and politics

Chloë Van Hoegaerden, list leader for the Flemish Parliament in Brussels, and third successor Jasmine De Clerck love Brussels. The two candidates meet to talk about leadership and politics. But who is Jasmine? Chloë asks that question in this BlueTalks. 

Chloë: How would you describe yourself in two words?

Jasmine: An idealistic pragmatist.

What keeps you busy?

Leadership, management and the difference between the two. Leadership is a muscle that you have to train and that continuously evolves throughout your career. I think as Belgians we underestimate it too much. Yet we are all enthusiastic when Barack Obama comes to explain it to us. The discovery of our authentic leadership lies within each and every one of us.

I find a person's development throughout their life an extremely interesting thing, and enjoy studying it. Of course, my daughter's unfolding is one of the most beautiful trajectories I get to witness. But I also see these transitions in my partner, and in my parents.

What do you excel at?

Seeing opportunities and realising them. And preferably together with a team. I prefer working with and in different cultures, and really like sales, marketing and the international development of my business. I find it important to circulate in different networks and listen to what people are concerned about. I think we are very quick to judge, when we could spend much more time "curiously observing". Our own worlds often only confirm what we think, and what we have been brought up with. Culture also plays an important role in this. Look, for example, at Opera Ali at the KVS and the many meetings with various writers in the city. I really enjoy joining the sessions at Full Circle, Chaussée de Vleurgat where you can regularly meet writers and dive into a deep conversation.

I strongly believe in building diverse networks that rally behind a vision. A dynamic economic project for Brussels means living and doing business in a way that we achieve the climate objectives and everyone, at all social levels, can be part of this story.

Why politics?

Our quality of life depends on good and thorough governance and policies. Policy affects our everyday life, especially for entrepreneurs. Too much regulation and complexity is killing us. I also want to see more long-term vision in politics. Thinking over a period of 20-40 years and also across borders. Brussels-Midi, where I live, is an example. Compare the neighbourhood around this very important junction, the "entrance to the heart of Europe" with Gare du Nord in Paris, London Saint-Pancras or Amsterdam-Central?

Unfortunately, getting involved in politics is often viewed with an oblique eye. Two factors are at play: the media, which in its hunger for news emphasises an immediate solution and often demands accountability from one person while that person and his or her cabinet are trying to kick the ball into the goal while being in a tangle of diverse and conflicting interests.

The second issue lies with the politicians themselves who, due to pressure, and a string of successes and popularity, get lost in hubris. If Icarus flies too close to the sun, it is not the sun's fault, but due to a lack of self-awareness.

What positive projects would you like to support?

There are never too many trendy neighbourhoods in Brussels. Less government interference could create a more dynamic market. Too many buildings are rundown in the city. Cities like Antwerp and Mechelen have been able to turn the tide, so can we.

Brussels-Midi is the gateway to our European capital. Where is the élan of this vital hub, while the stations of Antwerp, Charleroi and Mons have enjoyed an architectural revolution? And how does the station connect to the city instead of separating from it? How can the district become sustainably green?

Less fragmentation in subsidies and regulations. We need to promote clarity and simplicity in the partnership between entrepreneurs and the government. We aim for a one-stop shop principle through Hub.brussels where businesses can get quick and clear answers and support. Instead of fragmented subsidies, a structural framework backed by a solid investment and development plan. 

Coinciding elections for municipalities and region every five years can lead to more coherence and decisiveness. Sven Gatz and Alexia Bertrand have written a solid position paper on this subject that is worth a read! (openvldbrussels.be/standpunten)

Multilingualism is a big plus for our labour market. Let us also support that through education and our municipal administration so that start-ups, SMEs and multinationals can more easily attract international talent.

We cannot eliminate poverty in the city, but we can tackle it. By promoting cleanliness, combating squalor in buildings, a harmonised approach among the CPAS in the 19 municipalities (!) and upscaling Housing First projects, we can tackle this issue more effectively. As many as 39% of residents are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, which is an unacceptable high figure.

Chloë Van Hoegaerden and Jasmine De Clerck