Vooruit Geraardsbergen opposes mandatory municipal mergers

The local Vooruit party branch in Geraardsbergen is opposing proposals for mandatory municipal mergers in Flanders. The opposition follows a suggestion by Flemish Parliament member Kurt De Loor to create larger municipalities with at least 50,000 inhabitants.

Stijn De Bock, chairman of Vooruit Geraardsbergen, argues that the fundamental issue facing local governments is not their size, but rather their financing. He contends that redrawing administrative maps does not solve the underlying budgetary problems. One proposed model involves using existing police zone boundaries to define new municipalities, which would necessitate a merger between Geraardsbergen and Lierde. However, local leadership in both towns has rejected this idea.

De Bock emphasizes that mergers should remain voluntary and based on mutual benefit. He notes that Geraardsbergen and Lierde already collaborate through the South-East emergency services zone, police zones, and other regional partnerships. Furthermore, the party warns that mergers do not reduce infrastructure costs, as the maintenance requirements for roads, paths, and public buildings remain unchanged regardless of administrative boundaries.