LIVE East Flanders – De Clercq versus Watteeuw in Ghent: will both still work together after the elections?

Now that most polling stations are closed, the first estimates of turnout are also being made. Official figures are still awaited, but up to half of the voters at polling stations in Muide, Rabot and Ekkergem in Ghent are said to have not turned up. In WZC Tempelhof, in the center of Ghent, there was approximately 50 percent closure, other agencies were also stranded at approximately half.

In the center of Aalst, in a polling station on Vredeplein, there was 40 percent around 1 p.m.

The polling stations where voting takes place with pencil and paper have closed. Those who vote digitally still have time to do so until 3 p.m. Reports are filtering in from everywhere about low turnout, and this was no different in East Flanders. We’ll have to wait and see what the final figures say later this afternoon.

Both Ghent mayor Mathias De Clercq (For Ghent/Open VLD) and alderman Filip Watteeuw (Green) are satisfied with the policy they have pursued together in their city.

“We have caused a renovation wave in social housing, we have carried out urban renewal, reduced personal income tax and the economic report is good,” De Clercq summarizes. Watteeuw also says this: “We have tried with Groen to bring content back into it and have focused on affordable housing and healthy air. I think we have generally succeeded in this.”

Does that mean that both lists will form a majority again after the elections? “We are all on the same page: we do not exclude any democratic parties,” De Clercq says vaguely. Watteeuw is a little clearer: “We have a track record together, so why not work together in the future? I am somewhat afraid of a swing to the center right, to N-VA, and therefore to a killer policy.”

Filip Watteeuw fears “a killer policy” in Ghent.
Photo: Belgian

In ‘Café Exit Poll’ in Daknam (Lokeren) you could have a drink before or after casting your vote. Of course with an adapted drinks menu. The initiative of the non-profit organization Parochiale Werken, which did this for the first time, attracted a lot of interest.

Photo: Ivan Elegeert

Photo: Ivan Elegeert

Filip Anthuenis has been mayor in Lokeren for 24 years and hopes to remain so for the next six years. Anthuenis is curious about the merger results.

“We have done everything we promised with our management team. Naturally, every election is exciting, especially now that there is no longer any compulsory attendance. I am especially curious about what the results will look like now that we have formed one list together with Moerbeke,” he said. leader of Local Liberal.

Filip Anthuenis (Local Liberal) has been mayor of Lokeren for many years.
Photo: Ivan Elegeert

All morning we have been receiving reports from all over East Flanders about a low turnout. This is also the case from Aalter, where Mieke Schauvliege, as party leader of Groen, takes up the challenge against Pieter De Crem (CD&V).

“I am extremely shocked by the turnout. I see very few people here. Compared to June (the previous elections, ed.) It is empty here. I am worried, yes.” Schauvliege thinks it is “very unfortunate. As a party we have always fought for compulsory attendance and did not agree with its abolition.” The abolition of compulsory attendance in Flanders is a first and was one of the controversial topics in debates in the run-up.

There are reports from some places about better turnout, but those reports seem to be in the minority.

Mieke Schauvliege went to vote in Aalter.
Photo: Arthur Carton

Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau accompanied his grandmother to the polling station. He reiterated his ambition for Sint-Niklaas: to become a majority again with Vooruit, and preferably to take charge of the city himself as mayor.

“Sint-Niklaas must change course, especially in terms of safety, cleanliness and conviviality. A captain would best be at the wheel. Establishing a link between Brussels and the city seems ideal to me.”

The best impact I can have is as mayor

Rousseau does not intend to take up an aldermanship under another mayor. “The best impact I can have is as mayor. We have a whole team ready, so I want to give other people the opportunity to take responsibility. Either there will be a new captain on the ship in Sint-Niklaas, or it will remain the same with reinforcements from Vooruit, and then I will watch over Sint-Niklaas very closely from Brussels.”

Rousseau wants to talk to all parties in Sint-Niklaas, “but governing with extremes will not happen”. The ambition is to co-manage with Vooruit in all central cities. “We have the ambition to continue growing in all local departments after our 4% growth in the June elections.”

Mayor Lieven De Handschieter (N-VA) of Sint-Niklaas is the major challenger to Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau.

He went to cast his vote just before 11 a.m.: “I’m a bit nervous, but that’s normal. Still, I have the feeling that things are going well for us, because I have received a lot of expressions of support in recent days and weeks. Also from people who normally do not vote for N-VA. So I am hopeful.”

Photo: Belgian

Resigning Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and father Herman De Croo (Open VLD) cast their votes this morning in Sports Hall Vlavo in Brakel. Alexander would like to become mayor after the disappointing election results for him in June.

This is the 31st election for veteran Herman De Croo, including 11 municipal elections. He is the list pusher, his son Alexander is the list leader. Herman De Croo is concerned about the turnout: “I called around and we currently have half the number of voters. I hope it will be 2 thirds.”

Photo: VRT NWS

It was also very calm this morning at polling station 11 in De Piramide primary school, Ghent (Brugse Poort). “In June they were queuing here all the way to the street, now the counter stood at 74 voters after the first 2 hours,” says the chairman of the polling station.

Photo: VRT NWS

There is also a lot at stake in Horebeke (Flemish Ardennes). Petra De Sutter of the Green party appears on the ‘Nieuw Horebeke’ list and is curious about what the new political landscape will bring about in her municipality, after the Browaeys dynasty.

“There was a lot going on in the village. After 60 years, for the first time, no Browaeys on the list, people are busy with that. Many people also want change. We have a good program, and there is a lot to do in Horebeke” , De Sutter noted.

“Stress? No. It’s like a student going to the exam. The campaign is over and now the voter is busy deciding. Now we can’t do anything about it anymore. There will be some stress when the result will be announced Here it is make or break. The absolute majority or opposition.”

Petra De Sutter voted with partner Claire Vanhoutte.
Photo: Peter Malaise

For the first time in 24 years, there is a lot less pressure on the elections for Philippe De Coninck (67), the mayor of Assenede who will retire in December.

“I have mixed feelings. I receive a lot of thank-you messages, although in my heart I would have liked to participate again. But on the other hand, there is reason, which says that it has been good and beautiful. My health also requires energy .”

How will he experience the rest of the day? “Normally the stress would gradually set in, but today it has already gone. Then we would follow the results with the group in a café. I will continue to follow, but now quietly from my couch via the press. Although I will continue to support for my own team.”

In Waasmunster, the mayoral battle is between current mayor Jurgen Bauwens (CD&V/Team Mayor) and his challenger Rik Daelman (Liberal Waasmunster). We attended breakfast with both candidates.

Click here to read the article.

Photo: Jan Van de Velde

It was a lot quieter in Kluisbergen early this morning than at the same time during the elections in June. Does it have anything to do with compulsory attendance? It’s not said.

In June there were 3 election papers with many more lists and names. There are only 2 lists with 17 names for the municipality. This would mean people would spend less time in the voting booth. Although the people who keep the polling station open have already seen a difference in turnout this morning.

Kluisbergen this morning.
Photo: Peter Malaise

Kluisbergen in June, same place, same time.
Photo: Peter Malaise