Kris Demeyere resigns as first alderman

“Today, after careful consideration, I have resigned my office of first alderman,” Kris Demeyere begins his open letter. “I resign as a councilor and leave IC (GBL).”

Research

Earlier this week, the public prosecutor of West Flanders started an investigation into a real estate transaction by Demeyere. He has been inactive since the end of May due to a possible conflict of interest.

As authorized alderman, the former first alderman had negotiated on behalf of the municipality about the purchase of a farm and associated land on the Heistlaan.

Water buffer basin

Since the summer of 2021, the municipality has been negotiating with the then owner to purchase it with the aim of setting up a water buffer basin for agriculture. At the beginning of May 2022, the Knokke alderman’s college gave the green light for that real estate transaction.

When the municipality only bought the land, Demeyere bought the farm and part of the arable land in its own name. As a result, he acquired a total area of ​​3,760 square meters.

“Lies”

According to Demeyere, lies are being spread about him. “At the start of this legislature, the Municipal Executive launched ambitious objectives to make Knokke-Heist a municipality of and for the future. Our residents note with regret that the policy on spatial planning and education is no longer supported by the entire administration, on the contrary. I expressly distance myself from this obstructionist policy. I remain faithful to the original objectives.” (Read more below the photo.)

He says that he does not just accept it: “I will not let my name and fame be dragged through the mud. My advisers have therefore started legal proceedings. I have every confidence in the judicial authorities.”

“I now leave politics behind me with my head held high. Hopefully better and more beautiful times will come again for our beloved coastal municipality,” he concludes his letter.

Inactive

Demeyere already relinquished his powers in urban planning in December last year. The ships had previously been discredited for a conflict of interest. According to Audit Vlaanderen, there was a conflict of interest when the alderman had to judge a real estate project of the Hemelaer family. That family previously also invested in the car garage of the ships.

Kris Demeyere has always denied the conflict of interest. In May, he stepped aside in consultation with the mayor. Now the public prosecutor is collecting evidence about that real estate transaction.

On his website he gives more text and explanation.