(Brussels Times) Saliha Raiss (Vooruit) was sworn in as a member of the Molenbeek-Saint-Jean municipal council on Wednesday.
Her candidacy, approved by secret ballot, received the support of 20 councillors while 16 voted against. One vote was declared invalid.
Mrs Raiss will replace Jef Van Damme, who has taken up a senior position at the Flemish Community Commission.
Her appointment was preceded by controversy due to the refusal of the Mouvement Reformateur (MR), despite being in the majority alongside the Flemish Socialists, to support her since she wears an Islamic headscarf.
