Disciplinary inquiry against Aalter mayor De Crem over discrimination allegations
Flemish minister of Home Affairs Hilde Crevits will launch a disciplinary investigation into Pieter De Crem, the mayor of Aalter, over complaints that the municipality’s process for registration discriminated against non-Belgians.
De Crem is a former deputy prime minister and minister of Defence and Home Affairs. He succeeded his father as mayor of Aalter in 1995. His party, CD&V, has convened its ethics committee to consider his membership.
In March this year, VRT’s Pano documentary and newspaper De Morgen found that Aalter was making non-Belgians wait four times longer than legally permitted to register as residents, while Belgians were able to register quickly.
A forensic audit by Audit Vlaanderen confirmed on Friday that the policy was discriminatory and shows clear indications of the mayor’s individual responsibility.
"The audit shows that the legal provisions have been manifestly violated for a long time, despite various warnings"
“The results of this audit are serious and significant,” says Crevits, also of CD&V.
“The audit shows that the legal provisions have been manifestly violated for a long time, despite various warnings within the administration itself and from higher authorities. For this reason, I have decided to launch a disciplinary investigation into Mayor Pieter De Crem for gross negligence.”
The investigation will be conducted by East Flemish governor Carina Van Cauter. She has been tasked with conducting an investigation, drawing up a report and compiling a file. Based on the report, Crevits can decide to impose a suspension or removal from office. Preventive suspension is not an option.
“The decision by the Flemish government to proceed with an official disciplinary investigation is an important development,” CD&V said in a statement.
"In its communication, the Flemish government points to serious and weighty findings and to the individual responsibility of the mayor. This does not leave us, as CD&V members, unmoved. In line with its statutes, CD&V will soon convene the party's ethics committee to assess Pieter De Crem's membership."
#FlandersNewsService | Pieter De Crem © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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