Armenian-Belgian Arminé Hareyan Runs for Municipal Seat in Brussels

On October 13, 2024, local elections will be held across Belgium to select municipal members and mayors. Among the candidates running is Arminé Hareyan, who is seeking a position in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert municipality in Brussels. Representing the "Reformist Movement" party, Hareyan brings a rich background of activism and community involvement in both Armenia and Belgium, reports The Armenian Report in an exclusive interview.

Born and raised in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, Hareyan has always been driven by a passion for social and political work. Early in her career, she was active in public relations and coordinated European programs in various private and public organizations. She quickly became involved in socio-political activities, beginning as a student member of the “Youth Academy,” one of Armenia’s first youth non-governmental organizations (NGOs). She went on to co-found “Youth for Europe,” an organization that promoted European values like democracy, freedom of speech, and human rights in Armenia. 

In 2010, Hareyan moved to Belgium for personal reasons but soon realized she wanted to continue her active engagement in community and political life. Living initially in a small village without a local Armenian community, she connected with the Armenian diaspora in nearby Aachen. There, she established Armenian language and history classes for children. 

Her move to Brussels started the next chapter of her journey. Brussels, home to an established Armenian community, allowed her to become even more involved in Armenian issues at both the local and international levels. Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, she actively promoted Armenian interests in political forums in Belgium and across Europe. In particular, she helped draft and push forward several resolutions in the Belgian Parliament that condemned Azerbaijan’s actions during and after the conflict. This important work brought Hareyan into contact with influential Belgian politicians, including Michel de Maegd, a member of the Reformist Movement party and a strong advocate for Armenia. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and de Maegd proposed her candidacy to Sophie Wilmès, Belgium’s former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Reflecting on her entry into Belgian politics, Hareyan noted how she had initially expected to begin her political career through local elections. However, her first significant political success came during the European elections on June 9, when she received nearly 23,000 votes. This was an impressive result, particularly given that there are relatively few Armenian voters in her community. “Even now, people recognize me and say, ‘Oh, we voted for you!’” Hareyan remarked, noting how non-Armenian voters supported her campaign.

Encouraged by this achievement, Hareyan decided to run in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert municipality elections. These local elections are critical for Belgium’s communities, as they decide the leadership and council members for each area. For Hareyan, this election represents a unique opportunity for Belgium’s Armenian community to demonstrate its strength and become more engaged in the country’s political life.

As an Armenian-Belgian citizen, Hareyan sees herself as a bridge between her heritage and her adopted home. She is passionate about promoting cultural diversity, justice, and solidarity within her municipality. Her vision includes creating sustainable solutions for environmental protection, improving mobility, and building a more inclusive community where every voice counts.

In her own words, Hareyan summed up her aspirations: “I want to contribute to the well-being of my community, promote cultural diversity, defend the values of justice and solidarity, promote sustainable solutions for a greener environment, and improve mobility. I want to help build a more inclusive municipality, where every voice counts, and the interests of all communities are represented.”

Whether or not she succeeds in this race, her story is already an inspiring example of how dedication to justice, human rights, and activism can transcend borders.