Aalter mayor silent as controversial registration policy is scrapped

Aalter’s mayor, Pieter De Crem, remained silent during a heated municipal council meeting on Monday evening, as a controversial registration policy accused of discriminating against non-Belgians was withdrawn. Green party Groen has demanded an apology.

The regulation required a housing inspection before new residents could be registered at an address. This significantly delayed registration for many, particularly those with foreign backgrounds. According to the federal Home Affairs department, at least 140 people were affected, resulting in their missing out on access to work, healthcare and social rights.

“You designed this policy but take no responsibility for its consequences”

Groen MP Mieke Schauvliege, who first raised the issue earlier this year, accused De Crem of evading responsibility. “You designed this policy but take no responsibility for its consequences”, she said. Criticism also came from within the majority, including Flemish nationalist party N-VA.

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The controversy follows a report by VRT’s Pano and newspaper De Morgen, revealing that people with non-Belgian names waited up to nine times longer to be registered. Equal opportunities centre Unia and migration centre Myria have both criticised the policy. Unia has filed a complaint with prosecutors, alleging possible breaches of anti-racism laws, and Audit Flanders is also investigating.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Aalter mayor Pieter De Crem © BELGA PHOTO ROB WALBERS}

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