A majority of the political parties in Sint-Michielsgestel decided on Thursday evening to stop the plans for an asylum seekers’ center in Berlicum. The process is immediately stopped by the unrest in the village and politics.
Coalition parties SMG and GroenLinks/PvdA together submitted a motion to stop the AZC plans immediately. “There is no support among our residents for a large azc. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) only wants a large location, but the municipality does not have the capacity, quality and the money to realize several small reception locations,” says SMG party leader Kirk den Otter Thursday evening.
GroenLinks-PvdA is in principle for the reception for asylum seekers in the municipality. “But we have to look at how that is possible in a good way. That is not possible now. Because of the unrest that has arisen in politics, we find it irresponsible to continue,” says Fraction chairman Adriaan van der Maarel.
The largest coalition party, the PPA, also turned this evening against the planned location in Berlicum. “We want it to really stop. And then we can talk to see how we continue.” There is unrest in the public gallery. “So postpone,” concludes a resident. After the motion has been adopted by a majority, the inhabitants present reacted relieved.
Read also
During the additional council meeting, the political parties hurryed about arrival of the AZC in Berlicum: stop or spread? The largest coalition party, PPA, argued earlier for spreading the reception over several locations.
That change of course puts bad blood at the other coalition parties. “The PPA was worried, but never came up with a concrete alternative. They get stuck in their doubts,” says Van der Maarel. The party chairman Den Otter adds: “The largest party literally throws us in front of the bus.”
Moreover, last Friday, the PPA published a statement without consultation in which it argued for spread. “We decided to go outside because of the unrest. The moment was surprising, but the content was known to your advice,” says party chairman Joep Meijs.
“It doesn’t work that way.”
The unrest in Berlicum has increased in recent weeks. Protests escalated, with eggs and fireworks that were thrown to the town hall and pork legs that were hung on a fence. Alderman Veldens was shouted during an earlier information evening.
Miriam Cooijmans, party leader of Dorpsgoed, is shocked by the recent events in Berlicum and politics. Despite the unrest, her party remains behind the process. “We don’t let ourselves be brought to a different path by threat and destruction,” says Cooijmans. “Do you not agree with us? Take eggs and fireworks to the council meeting and we solve it. It doesn’t work that way.”
She is therefore surprised by the decision of the PPA. “All those years everyone was opposed and the PPA speaks out and then everyone decides to stop,” says Cooijmans.
