The Aalter local government decided on Monday evening to withdraw an ordinance allowing housing quality inspections to be conducted in applicants’ homes before including them in the population register.
The measure had come under criticism in recent months for disproportionately affecting non-Belgians. In practice, it meant mainly that non-Belgians in the East Flanders town received official addresses only after such inspections, resulting in prolonged delays.
According to the Federal Public Service for Home Affairs, this affected at least 140 cases, with people losing access to employment, health insurance, and social rights as a result.
Interior Minister advocates amending the ordinance
Initially, Christen Democratisch & Vlaams (CD&V) Mayor Pieter De Crem proposed only removing a controversial article within the ordinance. However, he subsequently aligned himself with the position taken by coalition partner Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), which called for the repeal.
Flemish Interior Minister Hilde Crevits (CD&V) had previously requested the local government to amend the regulation, noting that while housing quality inspections are not in themselves prohibited, they should not be a prerequisite for inclusion in the population register.
The repeal signals the end of a regulation that had been thrown into the limelight by a critical report on the VRT’s ‘Pano’ programme. However, the controversy it spawned appeared to linger on.
Mayor had 'nothing to add
At Monday's town council meeting, Mayor De Crem remained silent on the registration policy, offering no comment or response to criticism levelled at him.
Mieke Schauvliege, leader of the Flemish Green party, Groen, demanded a public apology, calling the situation "a slap in the face" for affected families.
Groen had already highlighted the issue in Spring, following the report on Pano. At previous council meetings on the matter, De Crem also refused to take a public position. His repeated assertion on Monday of having "nothing to add"was met with confusion.
"You are the architect of this policy but refuse to take responsibility," said Schauvliege, who had proposed compensating the victims. That proposal was rejected by the majority.
Even within the coalition, there was discontent. First Alderman Michael Ally (N-VA) noted that the minister had warned the administration that failing to repeal the ordinance would lead to oversight.
Mayor declines Vlaams Belang assistance offer
The CD&V eventually agreed to fully withdraw the measure, but not without internal tensions.
Vlaams Belang had expressed its willingness to form an alternative majority to ensure the survival of a weakened version of the ordinance if necessary, but De Crem did not pursue this option.
According to the Flemish Greens, the town council has still not grasped the measure's impact.
"You claim nothing went wrong, yet a federal minister, UNIA, and the media have shown there was unequal treatment," Schauvliege said. "Withdrawing an ordinance without taking responsibility for its consequences is not enough"
