This Tuesday, the municipality of Seraing was featured in the program “Dans ma commune,” which highlights various towns in our country in the days leading up to the municipal elections.
Yesterday, on Bel RTL Matin, Alice Bernard, a Walloon MP from the PTB, criticized the PS, which has held the majority in Seraing since World War II, stating that they “waste public money.” She questioned, “Where does this accusation originate from? We have witnessed the misuse of public funds, with significant real estate projects consuming vast amounts of money—42 million for the Cristal Park project, and 20 million that seem to have vanished without a trace, which could have been better invested to serve the community’s needs,” she explained.
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“20 million disappeared into thin air”: the PTB in Seraing denounces the PS’s “waste of public money”
In response to these accusations, the mayor of Seraing appeared on the show “Dans ma commune.” She stated, “I question this myself, but no one has formally complained about these projects. The City has filed a complaint to ensure transparency; however, if the PTB possesses documents, they should present them to the courts to clarify this matter.” said the socialist mayor, Déborah Geradon.
“40 million were invested with the promise of creating 1,000 jobs at Cristal Park. The outcome: 0 jobs, and 20 million has disappeared,” asserted Damien Robert, leader of the PTB list. The MR, now in opposition, also considers this issue significant: “When the city announced the project, I raised concerns, expressing that it seemed entirely extravagant to me,” remarked Fabian Culot, leader of the “Ensemble” list, which includes the MR, the Engagés, and Défi. “For 12 years, this management has raised questions regarding both substance and form. It’s puzzling.”
The sentiment was echoed by Ecolo: “The project is not environmentally friendly and must be thoroughly revised. We need to consult the community to determine the best path forward.”
Where have these 20 million gone?
The pressing question remains: where are the 20 million of public funds that have seemingly vanished? “We have tracked them; they are in accounts in Switzerland,” claimed the leader of the PTB list. “I have been unable to identify the owner of these accounts.”
In light of the PTB’s accusations, the head of the “Ensemble” list responded: “The Sherlock Holmes of the banks along the Meuse needs to present his documents to the justice system. I call for clarity and justice. This cannot happen if the PTB continues to leverage the media instead of the judicial process.”
An investigation is currently ongoing.
in my commune seraing
Public Money Waste Accusations in Seraing: Unraveling the Controversy
This Tuesday, the commune of Seraing was featured in the program “Dans ma commune”, which focuses on different towns in Belgium just days before the municipal elections. This particular episode brought into the spotlight serious allegations related to public funds and management.
Allegations of Mismanagement: A Political Showdown
The heated debate began on Bel RTL Matin, where Alice Bernard, a Walloon MP from the PTB (Workers’ Party of Belgium), accused the PS (Parti Socialiste) party of misusing public funds. Bernard claimed that the PS, which has governed Seraing since World War II, has been “wasting public money.” She pointed to several major real estate projects, notably the Cristal Park project, which she asserts drained enormous resources without benefiting the community.
“We have seen waste of public money, major real estate projects which have sucked up a lot of money, 42 million in the Cristal Park project, 20 million which have disappeared into nature, which are not invested to meet the needs of the population,” Bernard stated.
The Mayoral Defense
In response to these serious accusations, Seraing’s Mayor, Déborah Geradon, who is a member of the PS, made an appearance on “Dans ma commune”. She expressed her confusion regarding the PTB’s claims, noting that no formal complaints had been lodged concerning the projects in question. She emphasized that while the city had filed a complaint for transparency, the onus was on the PTB to provide any evidence they have to assist in clarifying the situation.
“I wonder this myself, but no one has filed a complaint about these projects. The City has filed a complaint to ensure transparency but if the PTB has documents, it should give them to the courts,” Geradon cried.
Opposition Voices Raise Concerns
The PTB’s assertions were echoed by other parties in opposition, with Damien Robert, head of the PTB list, emphasizing the failed promises surrounding the Cristal Park development.
“40 million were invested by promising 1,000 jobs at Cristal Park. Result: 0 jobs but 20 million disappeared,” Robert argued.
Fabian Culot, of the “Ensemble” list—comprising the MR (Mouvement Réformateur), the Engagés, and Défi—also highlighted the questionable management over the past 12 years, stating,
“When the city launched the project, I sounded the alarm to say that the project seemed totally pharaonic to me. For 12 years, this management has raised questions in substance and form. It’s intriguing.”
Ecolo party representatives likewise chimed in, expressing that the project is not environmentally friendly and requires re-evaluation:
“The project is not ecological and must be completely revised. We must consult the population to know what to do in the future.”
Following the Money: Where are the Missing Millions?
One of the most pressing questions raised in this controversy is about the whereabouts of the alleged 20 million euros in public funds that were said to have “disappeared into thin air”. The head of the PTB list provided a shocking claim regarding these missing funds:
“We have located them, they are on accounts in Switzerland. I have not been able to identify the owner of these accounts.”
Calls for Investigations
In light of these serious claims, the head of the “Ensemble” list insisted on the need for a thorough investigation:
“The Sherlock Holmes from the banks of the Meuse must give his documents to justice. I ask for clarity and justice. This will not be the case if the PTB continues to use the press channel rather than the legal channel.”
As the political climate intensifies in Seraing with the upcoming municipal elections, an investigation is currently underway to explore these accusations more thoroughly and bring clarity to the residents of this community.
Impacts on the Community
This controversy not only affects political reputations but also directly impacts the residents of Seraing. Here are some key points highlighting the ramifications for the community:
- Loss of public trust in government processes and decision-making.
- Potential repercussions for future investments and projects within the commune.
- A growing demand from residents for transparency and accountability in local governance.
Community Reactions
In the midst of such serious allegations and political strife, community voices are rising. Residents are voicing their concerns and opinions in various forums, ranging from social media platforms to local town hall meetings:
- Increased Activism: Many are mobilizing to demand transparency and accountability.
- Voter Engagement: The upcoming municipal elections have sparked interest in local politics, with more citizens looking to become informed about their candidates.
- Social Media Buzz: Discussions and opinions are flooding social media, highlighting a divide in community opinion about the current administration.
