Complaint filed against former cabinet chief Steve Stevaert, after statements about the functioning of the socialist party in Humo

Within the Social Democrats, an internal battle is underway over who will take a place in the party's power center. The demands for renewal are great and a number of big names are being questioned as the party prepares for the 2026 election, according to Expressen's sources. At the same time, one of Magdalena Andersson's closest associates has once again been assigned the role of election leader.

Two months before the congress to be held in Nancy in mid-June, the socialists set themselves in order of battle. The first outgoing secretary Olivier Faure was seriously competed, including by his former allies.

Paul Butenaerts, former provincial secretary of SP.A (now Vooruit), is taking Geert Mareels, the former chief of staff of Steve Stevaert, to court after statements in an interview in Humo about alleged corruption in the Limburg branch.

The Socialist Party's congress process to appoint its first secretary will conclude in mid-June in Nancy. This is an opportunity for the party to decide on its strategy for 2027: what political line and, above all, with what alliance? In short: for or against an agreement with LFI.

Six general contributions, including those of the first secretary of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure and that of the boss of the deputies PS Boris Vallaud, were tabled on Saturday, the first stage of the 81st party congress to be held in Nancy in June.