Denying the Holocaust, in which six million Jews as well as other minorities including Roma, gay people and people with disabilities were systematically killed, is a crime in numerous European countries.
Paul Beheyt, the lead candidate in Aalter for Vlaams Belang, told Belgian media that Raes requested a spot on the list and “was given a symbolic place, out of respect, because he remains one of the founders of Vlaams Blok.”
“By putting convicted Holocaust denier Roeland #Raes on a list, @vlbelang once again showed its true face,” Belgian N-VA MP Michael Freilich, who is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, said on X.
Vlaams Belang received the second-largest share of votes at the national election in June, bucking expectations of a far-right landslide.
Belgians head to the polls for provincial, municipal and district elections on October 13.
Vlaams Belang did not immediately respond to a request for comment.