Since his spectacular and much-publicised diet, Bart De Wever (N-VA), mayor of Antwerp, is big on running. He even considered challenging Kris Peeters, minister-president of the Flemish government, in the famous Antwerp Ten Miles. In the end, though, he decided against it, Peeters being the better trained runner. But for next year, the challenge is on. “No more minister nice guy,” De Wever said (in English).

The ACW, the Christian Workers Movement closely linked to the Christian-democrat CD&V, has not yet steered out of rocky waters after it was revealed last week that it had obtained an exceptionally high interest rate on a loan to Belfius, a bank owned by the state. ACW’s troubles reflect badly on vice-prime minister Steven Vanackere. As finance minister, he is responsible for Belfius. At the same time, he is close to the troubled ACW. No wonder there was some doubt about the role of Vanackere, although he vehemently denies having any knowledge of the ACW-Belfius deal.

With the ACW, the organisation that is accused of tax evading, yet another institution that shapes our society loses its credibility. The ACW, which originally stood for Algemeen Christelijk Werknemersverbond (General Christian Workers’ Alliance) is an umbrella organisation that includes unions, mutualities, youth and women’s groups. It is a remnant of the pillared society Flanders was until some decades ago.

So much for Sven Nys’ ambition to work in the Antwerp public services. Variations on this joke circulated widely this weekend, after Nys won the world cyclo-cross championships in Louisville, Kentucky. As the world champion, Nys will be sporting a rainbow jersey all year. His victory coincided with yet another controversy surrounding Bart De Wever, who, as new Antwerp mayor, said in an interview that wearing rainbow T-shirts – a gay symbol – in public city functions will not be allowed. What more do you need to coin a joke?