Brussels, Belgium: Former Miss Belgium Julie Taton has announced her candidacy for the upcoming federal elections in June, representing the Mouvement Reformateur (MR) party.
The 39-year-old beauty queen, who gained fame after winning the Miss Belgium title in 2003, is set to run as the second candidate in the Walloon province Hainaut, standing alongside party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez.
Taton, known for her successful career in the media, is making a significant career shift by leaving her current position as an NRJ television host.
Her decision to enter politics is fueled by a personal mission to advocate for children with long-term illnesses, as her own son faces a disability requiring extensive speech therapy.
“It’s a rare disease which requires many speech therapy sessions. Many families can’t afford that,” she expressed during a press conference.
Choosing to align herself with the MR party, Taton highlighted her nearly 15 years of self-employment, emphasizing the challenges faced in setting up projects in Belgium.
She believes that changes are needed to facilitate entrepreneurship in the country.
Georges-Louis Bouchez, the party leader, enthusiastically endorsed Taton’s candidacy on social media, celebrating her as a “committed woman, entrepreneur, and iconic Belgian media personality.” Taton’s high profile is expected to bring attention and support to the MR party.
Despite residing in Rhode-Saint-Genèse, a commune on the outskirts of Brussels, Taton has chosen to run as a candidate in Hainaut.
The decision sets the stage for a challenging contest, given the presence of heavyweight candidates in the region, including MPs and former Ministers Marie-Christine Marghem and Denis Ducarme, Minister Adrien Dolimont, MP, and mayor of Courcelles Caroline Taquin, along with Bouchez himself.
The MR party currently holds five seats, three in the Federal Government and two at the regional level. With a surplus of valuable party members compared to available seats, strategic decisions will be crucial for success in both federal and provincial elections.
Bouchez, optimistic about Taton’s candidacy, hopes that her celebrity status will bolster the party’s standing.
Taton is not the only high-profile addition to MR’s roster, as former drummer and radio presenter Mark Ysaye has also entered the political arena, running for election in the Walloon-Brabant region. Bouchez sees Ysaye’s membership as pivotal in countering what he refers to as the “woke” movement.
While Bouchez and the MR party are enthusiastic about these celebrity candidates, some liberal party members have expressed disdain anonymously, questioning Taton’s suitability for a political role.
However, Taton acknowledges the unexpected nature of her career change, stating, “No one was expecting this. It’s a surprise for me, too. I’m about to turn 40.
That’s a milestone in your life. For my 40th birthday, I wanted to do something a little enjoyable. I wasn’t expecting politics at all.”
As Julie Taton ventures into the realm of politics, her candidacy adds a unique dimension to the upcoming elections, blending the worlds of beauty, media, and advocacy for a cause close to her heart.
The political landscape in Hainaut promises an intriguing battle, with Taton aiming to make a meaningful impact on policies affecting children with long-term illnesses.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
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