Tielt (Brussels Morning Newspaper): CD&V, Everyone Counts, and Vooruit unite with 18 of 31 council seats. Luc Vannieuwenhuyze is the mayor, facing protests in Meulebeke.
CD&V – List for the Citizen, Everyone Counts, and Vooruit have teamed up to lead the newly merged city for the next six years. With a majority of 18 out of 31 seats in the city council, they aim to create stable governance. Luc Vannieuwenhuyze from CD&V – List for the Citizen has been named the first mayor. The coalition plans to combine different viewpoints and focus on shared goals to serve the needs of all residents in the city.
What does the new Tielt coalition mean for local governance?
Vannieuwenhuyze will be supported by four aldermen from CD&V – List for the Citizen: Lieve Germonprez, Vincent Byttebier, Klaas Carrette, and Peter Raedt. Raedt will serve for the first four years, after which Bert Verdru will step in for the remaining two years. This planned change aims to combine experience with new ideas in the leadership. The coalition is focused on fulfilling its promises and guiding the newly merged city toward growth and inclusivity in the years ahead.
Everyone Counts has picked three aldermen: Pascale Baert, Grietje Goossens, and Marie De Cloet. Vooruit has Birger De Coninck and Didier Van Nieuwenhuyse, but Van Nieuwenhuyse will let Annick Duck take his place for the last two years. This choice has caused some anger in Meulebeke, which only has two aldermen, including Duck, instead of three. In November, about 300 people marched for justice because they were upset that Verwilst from Meulebeke was not chosen.