This article will be continuously updated on election day.
They were the big winner in the municipal elections in 2018 and that is no different now. Just before half past six in the evening all the votes had been counted and it turned out N-VA again the largest. The party obtained 44.3 percent and 17 of the 33 seats. “A narrow absolute majority,” says current mayor Joeri De Maertelaere with satisfaction. “The result is fantastic.”
De Maertelaere had expected it. When he went to vote on Sunday morning in the Sportoase Hoge Wal in Ertvelde, together with his wife and son, he did not want to be falsely modest. “I would be very surprised if our party is no longer the largest,” he said, laughing.
That prediction came true. N-VA is again the largest, but despite its majority it is still looking for a coalition partner. The party decided this on Sunday evening after consultation. “Conversations will follow in the coming days. We will first and foremost speak with our current partner, CD&V, but we are also open to other parties.”
N-VA celebrated their victory in the evening. — © if
The largest decides
The second largest party is, just like six years ago, CD&V. The results from the thirty polling stations show that they reached 26.3 percent. That is 0.6 percentage points more than in 2018. They have 9 seats.
List leader Lucas Van der Meersch (37) went to vote himself in Sleidinge. He is satisfied with the result of the party. “We congratulate N-VA on its result,” he says. “It is now up to the largest to decide. We are waiting to see how the cards turn out.”
Poor turnout
What struck both politicians is the meager turnout. It was remarkably quiet everywhere in the community. “I have been to three agencies and there was no surprise anywhere,” said Van der Meersch.
It was clearly visible in the community on Sunday that there is no longer any obligation to attend. Only 57.9 percent of Evergem residents showed up to cast their vote. “I think that is shockingly low,” said Van der Meersch. “I think it’s something that needs to be reevaluated.”
N-VA celebrated their victory in the evening. — © if
No exuberant atmosphere at Groen
Green scores less well, at 7.5 percent. That is 5.1 percentage points less than in the previous elections. “We are following the national trend,” says party leader Eddy Colombeen. “We had hoped to keep our three seats, but unfortunately that is not the case. We are not in sackcloth and ashes, but there is no exuberant atmosphere either. (laughs) We did our best and are now looking at how we can do better next time.”
In 2018, Vooruit formed a joint list with Open VLD under the name Sterk! 10 percent of Evergem residents then voted on the list. But after a disappointing result, the two decided to go to the voters separately. Come on now reaches 9.3 percent. ELiberaalVicky Van Hyfte’s list, received 1.9 percent.
Flemish Interest reached 10.8 percent. That is 1.8 percentage points less than six years ago.
De Maertelaere most popular
Current mayor Joeri De Maertelaere is again the most popular. With 5,084 preferential votes, he is in the lead. “I am very satisfied. I got a similar number of preferential votes last time. Given the meager turnout, I am very happy with this result,” he says.
List leader Lucas Van der Meersch (CD&V) follows De Maertelaere at a distance, with 1,700 preferential votes.
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