2024-11-10 17:20:00
November 10, 2024
18:20
The Liberals and Socialists negotiated a draft agreement with Groen in Ghent, which would put an end to the political imbroglio that arose in the aftermath of the elections.
The Voor Gent list, a cartel that brings together liberals and socialists, negotiated a draft agreement with Groen in GhentBelga learned. More information will follow on this agreement, which defines the content and distributes responsibilities for the next municipal mandate.
The agreement will still have to be presented to members of the local branches of the parties concernedwho will have to validate it Monday evening.
The day after the municipal elections of October 13, Voor Gent, arriving first, began discussions with Groen on the one hand, and the N-VA on the other.
But, quite quickly, the liberals and socialists had favored negotiations with the Flemish nationalists rather than with environmentalists.
An agreement had been reached, allowing for the first time the N-VA to participate in power in Ghentto the great dismay of Groen, left behind. But the local members of Vooruit have not given the green light to this unprecedented alliance.
According to the new Flemish rules for establishing a majority, the right of initiative returned to the second list resulting from the ballot, that of the ecologists.
In order to alleviate the personal background and difficult relationships between some negotiators, former Flemish minister Vera Dua was called to the rescue. The outgoing federal minister Petra De Sutter also came to play mediator.
If Groen, the Open VLD and Vooruit govern again in Ghent, they will rely on a majority of 33 seats out of 53. The CD&V, which is part of the current majority, would switch to the opposition.
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#LOpen #VLD #Vooruit #Groen #vont #diriger #Gand
**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Anna Vermeer, on the Recent Coalition Agreement in Ghent**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Vermeer. There’s been significant movement in Ghent’s political landscape following the municipal elections. Can you summarize the recent developments?
**Dr. Vermeer:** Certainly! The Liberals and Socialists, under the coalition name Voor Gent, have negotiated a draft agreement with Groen. This is a crucial step to stabilize the political situation that emerged after the elections held on October 13. It reflects a cooperative spirit among these parties to address the pressing issues that Ghent is facing.
**Editor:** What are the key components of this draft agreement, and what does it hope to achieve?
**Dr. Vermeer:** While we don’t have the full details just yet, the agreement is expected to outline both policy priorities and the distribution of responsibilities within the new municipal mandate. The objective is to create a cohesive strategy that can effectively tackle urban challenges, promote sustainable development, and ensure inclusive governance.
**Editor:** There’s mention that the agreement still needs to be validated by local party members. How critical is this step?
**Dr. Vermeer:** It’s vital. The validation process is an essential democratic step that gives party members a say in the coalition’s direction. If approved, it will show strong internal support for the strategy laid out in the agreement, which is crucial for its successful implementation. However, if there are significant disagreements within the parties, it might lead to further negotiations or even derail the coalition before it starts.
**Editor:** With the political landscape shifting so rapidly, what impact could this coalition have on local governance in Ghent?
**Dr. Vermeer:** If successful, this coalition can provide a stable government that addresses pressing socio-economic issues in Ghent. It could enhance collaboration between various sectors, improve public services, and foster community engagement. On the flip side, any disunity could lead to stagnation or conflict, which could hamper effective governance.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Vermeer, for your insights on this evolving situation. We appreciate your time.
**Dr. Vermeer:** Thank you for having me! It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.
