City council Wielsbeke: majority confidence is lost
But in the meantime they just stay on post to control Wielsbeke, as if nothing was wrong. Frédéric Depypere, chairman of the municipal council: “Of course it won’t be easy. But from the team of twelve people, we intend to continue to carry out what was loyally agreed in advance. Nothing will change that. We have that intention to continue to be implemented until the end of the legislature.”
But it soon becomes clear that common sense is lost among the majority. The appointment of representatives to various external councils, usually a formality, is now not approved.
“No good governance”
This is not good governance, says the opposition, which also fears that Wielsbeke will eventually become ungovernable. Opposition council member Rik Buyse, N-VA: “It has to be governed. And it really won’t work that way, to the detriment of the Wielsbeek citizen, of course.” Opposition councilor Jan De Potter, U: “The way things are going on this council right now, it is certainly not an example. I am actually a bit ashamed as politicians that we actually prove that we are not doing it right.” Opposition councilor Filip Dinneweth, Vlaams Belang: “They call themselves CD&V members, but they are no longer that. They have split off. I do not think that the municipality will remain manageable.”
From the opposition it is heard that the mayor is being put in the garbage. Mayor Stevens feels strengthened by the many reactions of the people with often the same message. Jan Stevens, mayor: “You are now felled, but please, get back on your feet. You will emerge stronger than ever. So I am going for a new mandate. That is true. We cannot do otherwise. That is the call we received from all our people.”
The city council may have passed serenely, but confidence has been lost.