BELGIUM: ELECTION PREVIEW: FORMER MISS BELGIUM SAYS SHE WILL POSE NUDE IN PLAYBOY IF SHE WINS SEAT IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.

Record ID: 505722

  • Title: BELGIUM: ELECTION PREVIEW: FORMER MISS BELGIUM SAYS SHE WILL POSE NUDE IN PLAYBOY IF SHE WINS SEAT IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.
  • Date: 8th June 1999
  • Summary: ANTWERP, BELGIUM (JUNE 6, 1999) (REUTERS) CU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK VERWILGHEN, VLD-CANDIDATE-CHAIRMAN OF DUTROUX COMMISSION 1997-1998), SAYING: "I am sure that for many men it will be a beautiful view to see her in 'Playboy', but I don't think that a politician should work in this way."
  • Embargoed: 23rd June 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ANTWERP AND BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: International Relations,Entertainment,Quirky,Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVAGMYQLPXWE9D57SH0VUL113XY
  • Story Text: A former Miss Belgium has come up with an interesting new campaign pledge by promising to pose nude in Playboy magazine if she wins a seat in the European Parliament.
    In the run-up to the elections for the European Parliament on June 10 and the Belgian Parliament on June 13, candidates are busily canvassing for votes with political rallies.
    However some of them have introduced a novel way of attracting support.
    Twenty-six-year-old former Miss Begium Anke Van dermeersch has perhaps the most unusual strategy to spice up the otherwise sombre campaigns.
    The blonde six-feet tall beauty queen, who is a member of the Flemish Liberal Party VLD, has pledged to strip for Playboy if she is elected to the Parliament.
    "Do you want me in your chamber or in your seat?" is the slogan she uses to lure voters that might not be so enticed by her competitors who pledge restructuring the tax system and a more disciplined government.
    Van dermeersch, who became a laywer after being crowned as Miss Belgium in 1991 also promises more welfare for the disabled and elderly.
    She says she made the promise to strip for the U.S.-based monthly magazine to show voters that she sticks to her promises - both personal and political.
    While Van dermeersch has received a lot of publicity from her unusual campaign, some party members disagree and fear for the party image.
    Mark VerWilghen, VLD candidate and chairman of the Dutroux Commission said: "I am sure that for many men it will be a beautiful view to see her in 'Playboy', but I don't think that a politician should work in this way."
    To win a seat in parliament Van dermeersch will need 200,000 votes under the European Parliament's proportional representation system.
    Having been crowned by the nation once before, Van dermeersch is confident that she will receive the support this time as well.
    The elections for the European Parliament will be held across the European Union from June 10th-13th.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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