Oudenburg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -Anthony Dumarey van Oudenburg decides not to file an appeal with the Council of State regarding his non-appointment as mayor. Flemish Minister of Internal Affairs Hilde Crevits chose not to appoint him because a judicial investigation probes a possible conflict of interest involving him.
Anthony Dumarey from Oudenburg refused to take his decision to the Council of State for evaluating the annulment of Hilde Crevits’ rejection of his mayoral position. Following judicial assessments about a possible conflict of interest stemming from his agent and mayoral roles, Dumarey took office as mayor of Oudenburg, as reported by VRT.
Dumarey brought summary proceedings to court prior to the Council of State decision about the ministerial appointment but the Council of State refused to support his case. Dumarey kept open the legal possibility to file an annulment appeal, yet decided not to do it for the sake of Oudenburg’s prolonged unpredictability.
After weeks of reflection and consultation with his lawyer, Anthony Dumarey decided not to do so:
“Legally, I have a point, I have no doubt about that. But what would I gain from it? It would not help Oudenburg. On the contrary, because such a procedure can drag on for years. Any ruling would not be available until early 2027. I do not want to plunge Oudenburg into this uncertainty, I choose my city and want it to run well, hence this decision.”
Anthony Dumarey will now sit on the Oudenburg municipal council as a municipal councillor. Not an obvious choice, he says.
“I have been on the Oudenburg municipal council since 1994. I have moved mountains, weathered storms and worked on files from A to Z. But today it feels good and right to make this decision. Not with a bitter aftertaste, but with my head held high and a heart for my city. I have never done politics for myself. I want my city to run well. And I want to support and help the young team that is now working on it by sharing my knowledge and experience.”
What is the history behind Anthony Dumarey’s Non-Appointment as Mayor of Oudenburg?
Anthony Dumarey was not elected as mayor of Oudenburg because there was a serious issue that emanated from a damaging audit in August 2023, forcing his resignation during his term in office. Such relations vacated that he had a conflict of interest between his activities as a mayor and his personal profession as a real estate agent and developer.
Namely, the municipal council had given the green light to several developments associated with Dumarey’s real estate office, contrary to the advice received from the environmental authorities, and his main accusations were that he disclosed non-public information to the architects. After the audit, there were investigations in relation to conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy carried out by the judiciary system.
Dumarey was once again denied to become the mayor, even though he received the most preference votes in the local elections, the majority of votes in the chamber of representatives and co-signed most of the 875 recommendations with the audit and investigation by Governor Carl Decaluwé and Minister Crevits. The Council of State reaffirmed this decision, which is denying the appeal by Dumarey for the non-appointment of suspension. As a result, Romina Vanhooren, who was the second most preferred candidate in his party, became the mayor.
