Lotfi Mostefa Re-elected as Anderlecht Housing Chair Amid Scandal

Lotfi Mostefa, the embattled Socialist (PS) politician at the center of a political interference scandal, has been re-elected as president of Anderlechtse Haard, the second-largest social housing company in Brussels. The decision, taken during a stormy board meeting on July 8, 2026, deepens a governance crisis that now threatens to trigger direct intervention by regional authorities.

Background: A Politician Under Fire

Mostefa has been under intense scrutiny since May 2026, when the VRT NWS investigative program Pano revealed hundreds of personal messages showing him personally instructing staff on which candidates should receive priority for social housing. The revelations raised serious questions about political clientelism and abuse of power in the allocation of scarce housing resources in one of Brussels’ most densely populated municipalities.

A parliamentary inquiry commission was subsequently established in the Brussels Parliament, concluding after 143 hours of hearings on July 6, 2026. A separate judicial investigation into possible criminal offenses remains ongoing.

The Boardroom Battle

The re-election capped weeks of political infighting. In June 2026, vice-chairperson Marcela Gori (MR) called an extraordinary board meeting and, with support from the centrist Les Engagés party, voted to remove Mostefa from the board. The PS called the removal illegal, and subsequent board meetings were canceled due to PS members’ absence.

According to Bruzz, the July 8 meeting was chaotic. Yago Bastin (Anders party), a board member, described it as “chaotic and unpleasant, with shouting and yelling.” Despite the tensions, five of the nine board members voted to reinstate Mostefa.

Crucially, Mostefa received support from Safa Madrane, the Les Engagés board member who broke with her party’s position to back the PS candidate. “Thus there is a majority for Mostefa’s chairmanship,” said Jean-Marie Haerten, a newly appointed PS board member.

Political Fallout

The decision has triggered immediate political consequences. Les Engagés announced it would replace Madrane as its representative on the board, stating that her choice “is completely at odds with the position of our movement.” The party described Mostefa’s return as “a particularly alarming signal, given the highly contested management, the shortcomings revealed by audits and the revelations in the context of the parliamentary inquiry commission.”

Risk of Government Intervention

The Brussels Regional Housing Company (BGHM) has already sent two warnings to Anderlechtse Haard for failing to meet its obligations. Federal Minister Lalieux has indicated she is considering appointing a government commissioner to take over management of the troubled housing company.

Yago Bastin warned that the board has become “a rudderless ship,” adding: “We appear unable to achieve good governance.” The PS, however, has suggested it would not oppose a government commissioner acting as a “change manager.”

Broader Implications

The crisis at Anderlechtse Haard reflects deeper systemic problems in Brussels’ social housing sector, where over 29,600 families are on waiting lists and the average wait for a home stretches to 13 years. The scandal has eroded public trust in housing institutions and exposed the extent of political interference in the allocation of public resources.

Mostefa’s ability to retain his position despite the allegations demonstrates the PS’s enduring political strength in Anderlecht, where he received 3,590 preference votes in the 2024 municipal elections — the second-highest tally in the municipality.

What to Watch For

All eyes now turn to the ongoing judicial investigation, which could result in criminal charges against Mostefa. The Brussels government’s decision on whether to appoint a government commissioner will be critical in determining whether Anderlechtse Haard can restore effective governance. Meanwhile, the parliamentary inquiry commission is expected to release its findings and recommendations, which could lead to broader reforms in how social housing is managed across the Brussels-Capital Region.