Lommel (Brussels Morning) – Kempen’s political landscape is complex and divers.New faces, challenges, and aspirations. Issues like asylum reception, economic disruptions, and infrastructure challenges mold the region’s destiny.
The Kempen has two Politicians now aiming to double with new candidates like Bart Van Opstal and Stef De Keyser. Reccino Van Lommel wants high-quality people to represent the region in Brussels. Gerolf Annemans emphasizes the importance of the Kempen for Vlaams Belang. They stress the need for Kempen’s voice in Brussels due to pressures on the region’s quality of life partly from excessive asylum reception. Youth centers turning into reception centers and urban issues spreading from Antwerp and Brussels to Turnhout and beyond are concerns raised by MP Reccino Van Lomme.
What are the Key Concerns and Proposed Solutions from Kempen’s Leaders?
The Kempen is facing fast alienation and social issues that could get out of control. Also there are lots of prisons in the Kempen providing jobs for locals. The poor infrastructure and missing investments make things worse leading to a tough work environment for employees.
Els Sterckx is worried about the nitrogen agreement burdening farmers in the Kempen. She promises a better future for them. She also cares about animal welfare in the region. Bart Van Opstal criticizes the bus transport reform saying it isolated elderly and caused problems for students. He wants more investment in public transport and safety in the Kempen with Vlaams Belang in charge.
De Keyser said:
For Mol’s entrepreneur and candidate Stef De Keyser, it is clear that there is still a way to go on an economic level. ” The Kempen remains recognized as an economically disrupted region and that is not without reason. The economic uncertainty has led to many restructurings in companies. For us the intention should be to invest in the Kempen, which is a positive thing for employment. We prefer to attract companies with higher added value such as the manufacturing industry”
They want all resources to focus on Antwerp and Mechelen, neglecting the Kempen. Drug and crime issues are rising calling for more police funding. SCK-CEN in Mol is developing future nuclear power stations for energy security. More budget is needed for this research center.
