Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Moad El Boudaati (Vooruit) calls for a council meeting on unclear housing plans. Mayor Jo De Ro (Open VLD) opposes it, citing costs and timing.
Vooruit and PVDA have asked for an extra council meeting tonight, on 3 January, needing support from a third of the council members. Moad El Boudaati from Vooruit wants to discuss the new administrative agreement, saying it’s too vague and lacks details on social housing, cleanliness, and safety. However, Mayor Jo De Ro from Open VLD believes this request is unnecessary, noting that in his 30 years in local politics, there has never been a council meeting during a holiday. He argues that many people are busy with family during this time and that everyone is already aware of the policy plan, so a vote isn’t needed yet.
Is an extra council meeting in Vilvoorde necessary amid holiday concerns?
The mayor is annoyed that city workers have to quickly set up the council room and fix the microphones. Boudaati thinks this isn’t a good excuse since staff are back to work on January 2. Jeroen Bergers, the new finance alderman from N-VA, is also worried about the costs of this extra meeting, which will be over 5,500 euros. He feels the opposition is just trying to show their strength, but he believes it’s not the right time. Since the government plan has been online for two months and isn’t being voted on, he doesn’t see why the meeting is necessary.
According to Former mayor Hans Bonte from the Vooruit party, it’s unusual to have a meeting during a school holiday. He mentions that since December 5, the council hasn’t had a chance to ask questions about important topics. Bonte is worried that the majority wants to wait two months before meeting again, which he thinks isn’t fair or democratic. He believes it’s important for the council to talk and answer questions quickly instead of waiting too long, as this could make it harder to govern effectively and meet the community’s needs.
