Björn Rzoska, faction leader for the Green party in the Flemish Parliament, will step down at the end of April. Rzoska is doing so to focus fully on local politics in Lokeren. However, he will

remain in parliament until the 2024 elections.

Rzoska has been a member of the Flemish Parliament for almost ten years and has been the faction leader for the Green party since 2014. But that role will soon come to an end, he announced. "I think it's very normal to clearly communicate your intentions to voters. As far as I'm concerned, the priority in 2024 is in Lokeren. I've been in opposition for 18 years now, and I think it's time for a new wind to blow. I'm making it very clear to the people of Lokeren that I'm 100% committed to Lokeren."

"I entered politics to achieve things," he emphasized. "A good, strong opposition is necessary. But at some point, you feel like you really want to move stones. This can also be done from the opposition, but it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. With a mandate in a majority, you can achieve much more."

"I'm taking a risk with this decision. The people of Lokeren will decide my fate," said Björn Rzoska. In Lokeren, Rzoska hopes to tackle mobility, among other issues. "There are many places where it is unsafe to cycle, for example. I would really like to sink my teeth into that." Photo by Vlaams Parlement, Wikimedia commons.