A heated emergency meeting of Deurne’s district council on Wednesday evening led to disruption and a temporary suspension following clashes between councillors from Vlaams Belang and Vooruit.
The controversy surrounds ongoing tree-felling operations on and around Boekenberglei for a controversial tram-turning loop project that have sparked outrage among local residents.
Dozens of neighbours wished to attend Wednesday's meeting, but access was restricted due to safety and capacity concerns. Loud protests from demonstrators outside briefly disrupted proceedings, prompting a compromise that allowed 20 additional persons to attend.
Groen announces resignation from Deurne's ruling coalition
Despite appeals for calm by council chair Frank Geudens (Vooruit), tensions escalated inside the meeting. Geudens' calls were met with scattered applause but failed to prevent an open conflict, forcing a brief suspension.
Councillors from all parties used the session to clarify their positions on the felling, which was implemented by the City of Antwerp without consulting the district administration. Groen councillor and former deputy mayor Karen Maes announced her party’s temporary withdrawal from the district’s governing coalition in protest. Fellow coalition members Frank Vercammen (Vooruit) and Mayor Tjerk Sekeris (N-VA) criticised Antwerp city official Koen Kennis (N-VA) over the lack of communication.
Kennis, who oversaw the tree-felling project, faced harsh criticism, even from within his own party as district councillors expressed frustration over not being informed in advance about the highly contested works or their timing. “There was no communication, but meticulous organisation—including a massive police presence to make sure the works proceeded,” said Vercammen.
Maes echoed the concerns, saying she felt powerless as a representative of citizens. “As someone elected to represent the public, it’s impossible to provide accountability if the city doesn’t listen. What’s the point of having a district council?” she asked.
District complains of marginalisation by higher authorities
Groen has proposed an “emergency stop” procedure that would allow district mayors to temporarily halt urban projects for consultation.
Sekeris emphasised that this was not an isolated incident. He claimed the district had been “ignored dozens of times” by higher authorities on regional matters. Even after an emergency meeting with Kennis that temporarily halted the tree felling, the district saw no improvement. “The communication that followed was not in line with what was agreed,” Sekeris stated. “Kennis even explicitly said he would not engage with districts in the future.”
The issue is not linked to Antwerp, Sekeris added, charging that other governmental bodies also neglected the district on larger projects.
The future of Deurne’s coalition— made up of N-VA, Vooruit, and Groen—remains uncertain. It is also unclear how relations between the district and the city will proceed.
All eyes are now on what steps the Antwerp City Council will take concerning the tree-felling operations.
