Jinnih Beels: ‘I Never Should Have Bought That Party Card’

Jinnih Beels, a prominent Belgian politician of Indian origin and former police commissioner, has publicly declared that she “never should have bought that party membership card,” expressing profound regret over her decision to join the socialist party Vooruit (formerly sp.a). The striking admission came in an interview with De Morgen published on May 29, 2026, and marks the culmination of a years-long deterioration in her relationship with the party.

Background: An Uneasy Alliance

Beels, born in Calcutta, India, in 1976, entered Belgian politics in 2017 as an independent candidate on the sp.a-Groen “Samen” list in Antwerp. She was initially reluctant to take a party membership card, only officially joining sp.a in October 2018 under pressure. She went on to serve as an alderman (schepen) in Antwerp from 2019 to 2024, overseeing youth, education, and integration portfolios, and later became a provincial deputy (gedeputeerde) for Antwerp province.

According to VRT NWS, the distance between Beels and her party had been growing for years. Political scientist Carl Devos of Ghent University told HLN that “the distance between Beels and her party has been enormous for a long time. She no longer feels supported and as a result, she cares little about what Vooruit thinks.”

The Breaking Point: A Podcast with Tom Van Grieken

The immediate catalyst for the current crisis was Beels’ decision to launch a five-part podcast series called “Dwarsliggers” (Troublemakers) on Doorbraak, a Flemish-nationalist, right-leaning medium. Her first guest was Tom Van Grieken, chairman of the far-right Vlaams Belang party.

The choice of guest and platform proved explosive. Vooruit has a core ideological commitment to opposing far-right parties and maintains the “cordon sanitaire” — an informal agreement among democratic parties not to cooperate with Vlaams Belang. The party initiated internal procedures against Beels following the podcast’s release in early May.

Political journalist Benedikte Coussement of VRT NWS noted: “The question is not whether the collaboration will stop, but when.” She added that the chance of Vooruit formally linking Beels’ dismissal to this specific incident was “rather small,” but that the relationship had effectively been over for some time.

A History of Rebellion

Beels’ conflict with Vooruit extends far beyond the podcast. In November 2025, she published a book titled “Dansen op een slappe koord” (Dancing on a Tightrope), in which she sharply criticized the political system, the power of parties and party chairs, and her own party’s Antwerp branch. In early 2026, she cast a dissenting vote in the provincial council, supporting a motion by Vlaams Belang and CD&V against her own deputation over the N-VA majority’s stricter interpretation of the nitrogen agreement.

As PAL.be editor-in-chief Lode Goukens wrote in analysis published May 11: “Jinnih Beels wrote in her book in November 2025 that parties stifle free debate. She doesn’t need to prove it, because the media and politics prove it in her case.” Goukens described the party’s response as “particracy in action” — a reference to Belgium’s political system where parties wield enormous power at the expense of individual representatives’ autonomy.

What’s Next for Beels?

Beels currently serves as a provincial councilor and deputy for the province of Antwerp, with portfolios in Agriculture, Housing, and Personnel. Her mandate as a provincial councilor is personal, not party-based, meaning she could potentially continue as an independent even if expelled from Vooruit.

However, political analysts see limited options for her future. Carl Devos told HLN that a switch to another party — whether Groen, PVDA, or Vlaams Belang — is considered improbable. Founding her own party, following the model of Jean-Marie Dedecker, is seen as unlikely given her more limited national profile.

In the De Morgen interview, Beels defended her record, asking: “As alderman in Antwerp, I provided free meals at school. What is more socialist than that?” The question underscores her argument that her policy achievements align with socialist values, even as her independent streak has placed her increasingly at odds with party leadership.

Broader Implications

The Beels case highlights growing tensions within Belgian political parties between centralized control and individual expression. It also reignites debate about the cordon sanitaire and whether engaging with far-right figures in public discourse should remain taboo. As Belgium’s “particracy” faces increasing scrutiny, Beels’ trajectory — from reluctant party member to outspoken critic — may serve as a cautionary tale for politicians navigating the rigid structures of modern party politics.

Whether Vooruit formally expels Beels or she departs voluntarily, one thing is clear: the relationship that began with reluctance in 2018 has reached its final chapter.