The opposition party Open VLD has called for a solution for the municipalities that will not receive federal aid to pay their rising pension bills, describing the decision to support only the ten largest cities as “completely unfair and unjustifiable.”
The federal government announced upon assuming office that the heavy pension burden on local authorities would be alleviated. However, a proposed law currently in parliament supports only the largest cities, as reported by De Standaard on Monday.
The threshold is set at 100,000 residents, leaving only Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Leuven in Flanders. Wim Dries, the mayor of Genk, has already announced plans to challenge this scheme in the Constitutional Court.
The opposition party Open VLD also deems this plan unfair. “The government promises much, including to local authorities, but the reality is different on the ground,” stated Alexia Bertrand, leader of the parliamentary group. “Not to mention the legal feasibility of distinguishing between small and large cities and municipalities. This is yet another example of shoddy work.”
Flemish party leader Egbert Lachaert criticised CD&V’s role, which participates in the federal government and holds the Flemish Minister of Internal Affairs position. “How on earth could CD&V, with the minister responsible for all local authorities in Flanders, let this pass?” he questioned.
