After an eventful month, the political situation in Ghent is calming down: Open VLD, Vooruit and Groen continue to govern the city. The three parties received the agreement from their supporters yesterday. This happened quickly at Vooruit (93 percent) and Groen (98 percent), but it was especially more exciting at Open VLD (53.6 percent).
LIVE. Follow everything about the Ghent formation closely here
Some liberals are angry and call the coalition with Vooruit and Groen political suicide. Coalition formation was therefore a rollercoaster in Ghent. Groen was pushed aside by De Clercq three weeks ago because he wanted to run with N-VA. But that agreement was rejected by the members of Vooruit, after which Hafsa El-Bazioui and Groen took their turn.
Happy faces at Vooruit Gent after 93 percent of the members approved the agreement.
After two weeks of intensive discussions and the help of former President Vera Dua and Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter, De Clercq and El-Bazioui decided to try again together. The agreement that De Clercq had written with N-VA was slightly adjusted, but will become the basis for the new city council.
Tackling division
The parties recognize that things need to change in Ghent, not only in mobility policy, but also in governance style. Voor Ghent and Groen promise to tackle the deep divisions between the people of Ghent.
In addition, the financial policy must be more economical, the rules will be cut to allow more new homes to be built and the budget will be freed up for thousands of social homes. The expansion of a large parking lot, a major point of discussion, is still being considered.
De Clercq remains mayor of Ghent, El-Bazioui becomes first alderman. “With the approval, we complete four weeks of difficult but fruitful negotiations,” said Hafsa El-Bazioui. “The result is impressive: Ghent remains progressive. With the agreement we confirm our climate ambitions and place affordable housing at the forefront as a priority. At the same time, we confirm our position as the warmest city in Flanders, with a strong social emphasis. With this management team, we leave no one behind.”
There were protests against the agreement under the Ghent city hall on Monday evening. — © fvv
It is of great symbolic importance that Joris Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) becomes Alderman for Mobility. Groen leader Filip Watteeuw will be alderman for Housing for three years. Frederik Sioen (Vooruit) was also mentioned as alderman, but announced yesterday that he is committed to his mandate as a Flemish Member of Parliament. Sioen was criticized internally for voting against an agreement with N-VA two weeks ago.
For Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), the agreement is a bitter pill. Her party was close to a historic breakthrough in Ghent two weeks ago, but is left empty-handed.
