For the N-VA, which has already been the heavyweight within local power for 12 years, it is above all a question of continuing what has been started. Among other things, the famous Oosterweel connection and all the urban development projects linked to it. For Vooruit, the ambition is less clear: the socialists were also in power for the last 6 years, but do not all draw the same results. During the campaign, they above all promised a “rupture”, among other things in the areas of social, housing and transport.
Municipal elections 2024 – ANTWERP: The N-VA and Vooruit have reached a majority agreement
From his victory speech, Bart De Wever suggested that he was ready to review the trajectory with regard to affordable housing and public transport. We find in the agreement the ambition of 7,500 new or renovated social housing units, but also more specific attention to access to housing, for each profile including the most vulnerable.
A delicate point which is still the subject of discussions: the neutrality of the service to the public. Or, in fact, the ban on the headscarf in these service functions, at the counter or in personal care. “There has already been a dress code for a long time, but as there is more and more polarization on this, we are considering functional clothing, possibly with a head covering without religious symbols,” indicates Bart De Wever. “We are going to launch social consultation on this.”
The aldermen and their skills will be announced on Sunday, after approval of the agreement by the members.
