Wednesday June 24, 2026
Leuven, Belgium (HOL) — Somali-born Belgian politician Sarah Mohamed Khalif will become Leuven’s alderman for care, welfare and cemeteries on Jan. 1, 2027, the local branch of the Flemish socialist party Vooruit confirmed Tuesday.
Khalif, 28, will replace Bieke Verlinden, who is stepping down from the city executive to focus fully on her mandate as a member of the Flemish Parliament.
“I am very enthusiastic about my new role,” Khalif said. “They are big shoes to fill. Bieke means a great deal to Leuven’s care policy. In the coming months I will delve deeper into the dossiers regarding care, welfare and cemeteries to ensure a smooth start in the new year.”
Khalif grew up in central Leuven with her brother, two sisters and their single mother. She said her Somali roots and early involvement in local community programs shaped her political priorities.
“From a young age, I have been active in the Ridderbuurt and at the Fabota children’s program,” she said. “So supporting neighborhood and children’s programs is very close to my heart.”
Khalif said she wants residents to know that support is available in Leuven through services such as Zorg Leuven, CAW and Leuven Helpt.
“Everyone deserves the chance to find the right support when needed,” she said.
During her first term, Khalif worked with Vooruit on social services for vulnerable residents and support for job seekers. She has said strengthening accessible social services for people struggling financially was one of her main priorities.
In her second term, Khalif has said she wants to focus on affordable housing and structural inequality, which she described as among Leuven’s most pressing challenges.
“One of my main goals for this term is to expand affordable housing,” she said. “We must ensure that everyone, no matter their background, has access to healthcare, education, and employment.”
Verlinden has served in Leuven’s city leadership since 2012, when she became alderwoman for social affairs, employment and student affairs. She later took responsibility for care and welfare, area-based operations and cemeteries. She also chaired the Special Committee for Social Services and Zorg Leuven.
“I look back on wonderful years, full of warm encounters with people who dedicate themselves to Leuven every day,” Verlinden said.
She said care, welfare and cemeteries are responsibilities closely tied to important moments in residents’ lives, including birth, care, loss and connection.
Over the past several years, Leuven expanded initiatives on accessible care, community-based services, poverty reduction and inclusion. Verlinden’s office pointed to the childcare master plan, which added childcare places, and the opening of Booghuys, a residential care center using technology to support people with dementia.
Verlinden said Leuven had also taken major steps in addressing grief and loss.
“Grief and loss are part of life,” she said. “As a city, we cannot take away that sorrow, but we can ensure that people do not feel alone.”
Verlinden said she was handing over the responsibilities to Khalif “with great confidence” and that the two would work together in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
Mayor Mohamed Ridouani praised both officials, saying Khalif is an experienced council member who knows Leuven well.
“With Sarah, we have an experienced city council member who knows Leuven inside out and has been following city policy for two legislative terms now,” Ridouani said. “I have every confidence that she will quickly find her footing as an alderman and continue Bieke’s work.”
Ridouani also thanked Verlinden for her dedication to the city and wished her success in the Flemish Parliament.
