6 Belgo-Moroccans Elected to Belgium’s House of Representatives

The lower house of the Belgian Parliament is seen during its plenary session  (Reuters)
The lower house of the Belgian Parliament is seen during its plenary session (Reuters)
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6 Belgo-Moroccans Elected to Belgium’s House of Representatives

The lower house of the Belgian Parliament is seen during its plenary session  (Reuters)
The lower house of the Belgian Parliament is seen during its plenary session (Reuters)

Six Belgians of Moroccan origin were elected to the Belgian House of Representatives during the federal, regional, and European elections held in Belgium on Sunday, Moroccan News Agency (MAP) reported.

The newly-elected deputies are: co-president of environmental party Ecologist Francophone (Ecolo) Zakia Khattabi, president of the Socialist Francophone Group in the lower chamber Ahmed Laaouej, president of Flemish-Socialist Group of the same chamber (Spa) Meriam Kitir, member of Belgian Labour Party (PTB) Nabil Boukili, and members of the Democratic Christian Flemish Party (CD&V) Nahima Lanjri and Nawal Farih.

Some 20 Belgo-Moroccan deputies were elected to regional parliaments: 15 in the Parliament of Brussels, three in the Parliament of the Wallonia, and three in the Flemish Parliament.

Left-wing Francophone and Green Parties nominated in Brussels the more commonly known as “diversity” candidates, and to a lesser extent in Wallonia and on average among the “Flemish Socialists” and “Democratic Christians” in the northern Flemish region.

The legislative and regional elections resulted in a major victory for the far-right Vlaams-Belang party in the northern Flemish region. In Brussels and Wallonia, the Socialist Francophone Party ranked first.

The Belgian monarch Philippe began consultations Sunday to form the government, which appear to be difficult after the far-right victory, which gained 18 seats in Sunday’s elections in the lower house after it had 3 seats in the previous elections.



Russian Missile Kills Six, Injures 20 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia

With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
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Russian Missile Kills Six, Injures 20 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia

With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A Russian missile attack on Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday killed six people, injured at least 20 more and destroyed a critical infrastructure facility, Ukrainian officials said.

Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor, said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app that a fire broke out as a result of the strike. Authorities did not say what the facility was.

Before the attack, Fedorov and Ukraine's Air Force announced a ballistic missile alert for the region.

Russia has recently stepped up attacks on Zaporizhzhia, using highly destructive guided bombs, which Ukrainian forces find hard to shoot down.

The city is an important logistical and industrial hub located about 40 km (25 miles) from the frontline. Moscow's troops partially occupy the Zaporizhzhia region, which is also home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

The Ukrainian president's chief of staff urged allies to give more support to counter Russian attacks.

"Violence must be stopped by strong actions," Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.