Leader Frank Creyelman of Vlaams Belang for the party secretariat on the Grote Markt. — © Sven Van Haezendonck
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Due to the purchase of Woonpunt, the local branch of Vlaams Belang has lost its party secretariat on the Grote Markt in Mechelen. Leader Frank Creyelman sees it as a political maneuver, while Thijs Verbeurgt van Vooruit applauds the decision. Marc Hendrickx (N-VA) mainly asks questions about the purchase.
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Sven Van Haezendonck
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After seventeen years, Vlaams Belang Mechelen has to look for a new home. “This is nothing more than a political game on the taxpayers’ hood. It’s that simple,” says Frank Creyelman.
“Say seriously, pay 630,000 euros because as a social housing company you absolutely want this building on the Grote Markt? But in the meantime there are still 900 people on a waiting list for social housing. This is downright ridiculous. The city council just wants us out of there with a view to the 2024 municipal elections,” says Creyelman.
“Hundreds of square meters are empty in town hall”
“Vlaams Belang should not whine. A wealthy party like her could perfectly buy it themselves. The property was for sale for months and the party probably bet that it could continue to rent it,” says N-VA party leader Marc Hendrickx. He mainly questions Woonpunt’s decision to buy exactly this property.
“Shouldn’t a social housing company radiate neutrality and austerity in its day-to-day operations? Buying an expensive property on the Grote Markt with presumably still renovations for which the costs are high. Is that needed? Hundreds of square meters are empty in the town hall,” says Hendrickx.
–N-VA faction leader Marc Hendrickx. — © Joris Herregods
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The opposition leader also questions the realization of the purchase. “Normally you first ask your board of directors whether you can negotiate such a purchase. Now the director had already signed a purchase promise on February 17,” says Marc Hendrickx.
“A thorn in the side of many people from Mechelen”
Frontman Thijs Verbeurgt of Vooruit applauds the purchase. “It is the first step towards the realization of a housing counter, an initiative that we have been promoting for years. Malinois can go there with all their questions about renting, letting, buying and selling,” he says.
The socialist group leader makes no secret of the fact that he thinks it is a good thing that Vlaams Belang is losing one of the most visible locations in the city. “That room for party propaganda was a thorn in the side of many people from Mechelen. Now it is being replaced by an initiative that can serve all people of Mechelen. I am very satisfied with that”, explains Verbeurgt
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