Belgian bank Belfius is refusing to finance the cities of Mons, Liège, and Charleroi, according to reports from L’Echo, Le Soir, and De Tijd on Thursday.
The bank cited financial criteria for its decision, but in the case of Mons, the arrival of the Belgian Workers’ Party (PTB) in power following the local election results has also played a significant role.
According to L’Echo, Belfius will only provide about €30 million out of the €273.8 million needed for the Oxygène Plan in the Walloon Region.
Future Mons councillors Charlotte De Jaer (Ecolo), mayor Nicolas Martin (PS) and Celine De Bruyn (PTB) pictured during a press conference to present the new coalition. Friday 08 November 2024, in Mons. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
This funding will only be enough to finance Ath, Namur, La Louvière, and Verviers. The financial situation justifies the refusal for the two largest metropolises in Wallonia, Liège and Charleroi.
However, for Mons, the refusal is also politically motivated. Belfius informed the Walloon Government that the decision was influenced by the PTB joining the Mons municipal council in an alliance with the Socialist Party (PS) and Ecolo.
