Ninove (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Ninove, 8 Forza Ninove members, including 2 aldermen, were arrested for suspected election fraud. Vlaams Belang leader Tom Van Grieken calls it political; Deputy Mayor Ilse Malfroot urges calm.
As VRT News reported, the political situation in Ninove is heating up because of an investigation into Forza Ninove. Tom Van Grieken, the leader of Vlaams Belang, said the investigation is a politically motivated attack. He claimed that the prosecutors are targeting Forza Ninove for political reasons.
However, when he was asked for proof on a TV show, he admitted he didn’t have any hard evidence. He only said there were “indications” of something being wrong. Some people believe the investigation is necessary to address potential wrongdoing.
Others, particularly those who support Vlaams Belang, see it as a political witch hunt. Officials mentioned that the case has grabbed national attention, sparking debate about the fairness of local elections and the role of politics in legal matters.
“What happened here in Ninove is unprecedented,”
says Karolien De Roose (N-VA).
“I try to see the best in the people and parties, but my confidence has now taken a knock.”
How will the Ninove council address Forza Ninove arrests and opposition demands?
Following the arrests of Forza Ninove members for suspected election fraud, Deputy Mayor Ilse Malfroot spoke to the city council. Mayor Guy D’haeseleer was not present due to a liver transplant.
Malfroot kept her statement short but clear. She said the investigation is ongoing and confidential. She also stated that it should not affect how the city is run. She wanted to ensure that the city would continue to function normally, despite the legal issues faced by some members.
The opposition wasn’t happy with the Deputy Mayor’s brief statement and demanded more answers. Dirk Vanderpoorten from Positief Ninove voiced his disappointment. Vlaams Belang had suggested the investigation was politically motivated.
Vanderpoorten believed the city should have rejected these claims to support the justice system. Despite the city’s initial hesitation, Vanderpoorten got the council to agree on a statement. This statement supported the rule of law. The council aimed to show unity in supporting fairness and the legal process. This happened while the election fraud investigation continued quietly.
8 members of Forza Ninove, including 2 aldermen and 2 city council members, were arrested. They’re suspected of election fraud, specifically with proxy votes. The city council met, but the opposition wasn’t going to let it go. Stijn Vermassen from Vooruit said he’d never seen so many people arrested in his time in local politics.
He brought it up in the council meeting, asking if the other leaders knew about the alleged actions. He also wanted to know if the council agreed with Vlaams Belang, Forza Ninove’s main party, which said the investigation was politically motivated.
