Merchtem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Merchtem, CD&V Plus protested cutting 60 oak trees with 80 posters. Councillor Toon Luypaert got a €350 fine. Mayor Maarten Mast insists rules apply equally to all.
As VRT news reported, in Merchtem, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, a political issue has emerged following a protest by the opposition party CD&V Plus. The party members put up around 80 posters on trees all over the town. They were protesting against the local government’s decision to cut down 60 oak trees on the Kouter.
CD&V Plus strongly disagrees with this decision and put up the posters to get public support. However, this action has led to legal trouble. Toon Lupaert, a municipal councillor who helped organise the protest, has been given a fine. The fine, called a GAS fine, could be as much as 350 euros.
The town says the posters were put up without permission. They say this breaks a local law about public advertising. This law says people need to ask for permission to put up posters at least a month before they do it, which the party did not do.
What sparked the €350 fine for CD&V Plus in Merchtem?
CD&V Plus doesn’t agree with the fine. They say the rule the mayor used is for ads, not protests. Toon Lupaert says the posters were for a petition against the town’s decision. He believes it’s about free speech. He questions why they would need permission. The party thinks the town is trying to stop them from speaking out.
This situation has started a bigger discussion in Merchtem about democracy, protests, and rules. The town says it’s just following the rules. But CD&V Plus says the town is going too far and trying to silence people worried about the environment.
Mayor Maarten Mast criticised Toon Luypaert’s reaction to the fine. The mayor said Luypaert shouldn’t act like a victim. Mast stated the town’s action wasn’t political, just following rules. He noted that town workers spent hours removing posters from Merchtem and nearby areas. The posters had QR codes for an online petition. The mayor believes this was an organised action, not just an opinion, and needed to follow local laws.
Mayor Mast denied that Luypaert was unfairly targeted. He said the town applies the rules the same way for everyone. Mast mentioned fines have been given out this year. These fines went to private businesses, like real estate agencies, and also to other politicians. This shows there’s no political favouritism, according to Mast.
He told Luypaert that if he knew he was breaking the law, he should accept the punishment. Mast wants everyone to be accountable under the law. This applies to all, no matter their political group. Those doing public campaigns must follow the town’s rules.
