2024-11-11 22:07:00
November 11, 2024
12:28
Update
November 11, 2024
23:07
The pre-agreement concluded between liberals, socialists and ecologists in Ghent was validated Monday evening by a vote of activists from each party.
Things moved well on Monday for the constitution of a new municipal majority in Ghent. Environmentalists from Groen managed to agree on a draft agreement with the Voor Gent listwhich brings together socialists and liberals under the same banner.
This pre-agreement still had to be validated Monday evening by the members of the parties concerned. What was done. At Vooruit and Groen, the activists voted for participation by a very large majority (93% of votes among the socialists, 98% among the ecologists). Uncertainty reigned over the votes of liberal activistswhich were said to be divided into two camps. In the end, the yes vote narrowly won with 53% of the votes.
Mathias De Clercq (Open Vld) will therefore be reappointed as mayor. It was he who obtained, in fact, the most votes on the Voor Gent list.
The team formed by Groen, Open Vld and Vooruit will have a majority of 33 seats out of 53 on the municipal council. The CD&V, which still sits in the majority, will be returned to the opposition alongside the N-VA.
An additional shadow on the relations between Vorruit and the N-VA
As a reminder, as the Voor Gent list came first in the elections, it was she who had the hand to begin discussions with a view to forming a coalition. Groen came in second place. The first discussions between Voor Gent and Groen, however, were unsuccessful, which pushed Mathias De Clercq to contact the N-VA, with whom he had managed to reach an agreement a month ago.
Determined to sell his skin dearly, Groen organized several demonstrations in the streets of Ghent to protest against his ouster. The mobilization bore fruit, since the socialist activists of Vooruit then refused to endorse the pre-agreement concluded between Voor Gent and the N-VA. This failure brought Groen back into the race. The discussions were led under the leadership of Petra De Sutter, Groen Minister in the current Vivaldi government in current affairs.
Furthermore, this new majority agreement could cast an additional shadow on the relations between Vooruit socialists and N-VA nationalists at the level of the federal formation. Federal trainer Bart De Wever (N-VA) has just suffered a double refusal from Conner Rousseau (Vooruit) to begin a formal negotiation on the famous note which should serve as the basis for an Arizona coalition which is now increasingly hypothetical.
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**Interview with Mathias De Clercq, Reappointed Mayor of Ghent**
**Editor:** Good evening, Mathias. Thank you for joining us today following the validation of the pre-agreement in Ghent. Congratulations on your reappointment. Can you share with us what this new coalition means for Ghent?
**Mathias De Clercq:** Thank you for having me. This coalition is significant as it unites diverse voices—liberals, socialists, and ecologists—under the “Voor Gent” banner. Together, we now have a strong mandate to address the challenges facing our city. Our coalition will prioritize sustainable development while ensuring that all citizens feel represented.
**Editor:** During the voting process, we saw a substantial majority among the Groen and Vooruit activists. However, the liberals had a narrower margin. What do you think contributed to the divided votes within your camp?
**Mathias De Clercq:** It’s quite normal for there to be different opinions in any political party, especially on key decisions. Our liberal members are passionate about a variety of issues, and while it led to some divisions, ultimately, the majority agreed that collaborating with our partners would yield the best outcomes for the city. I respect the diversity of thought within Open Vld, and I believe it strengthens our coalition.
**Editor:** Now that the coalition is formed, what are your immediate goals as the new term begins?
**Mathias De Clercq:** We have several immediate priorities. First, we want to address climate initiatives, which are essential for our future. We also aim to enhance local services and tackle housing affordability, which is a pressing issue for many residents. Our goal is to create an inclusive and thriving Ghent for everyone.
**Editor:** The coalition holds a majority of 33 seats out of 53 in the municipal council. How do you plan to leverage this majority?
**Mathias De Clercq:** Having a stable majority allows us to implement our agenda effectively. We aim to foster open dialogue within the council, ensuring that all voices are heard. This majority also gives us the capacity to push forward ambitious projects that can transform our city for the better.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mathias, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how this coalition will shape the future of Ghent.
**Mathias De Clercq:** Thank you for having me; I’m excited about the journey ahead!
