Mayor of Ghent elected president of European city network
Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq was on Friday in the Portuguese city Braga elected as president of Eurocities, the network of 222 cities in 38 countries. As an umbrella organisation, Eurocities consults with the EU to raise urban issues and secure funding.
Eurocities focuses on cooperation, policy influencing and knowledge exchange between European cities. The network brings together mayors, alderpersons and civil servants to strengthen urban ambitions.
The mayor of Ghent, Mathias De Clercq, was previously vice-president of the umbrella organisation. “Now I can have even more influence on the European agenda,” he told VRT NWS after his election as president.
De Clercq now represents 150 million city dwellers through Eurocities. Amongst other things, the European city network advocates additional European investment to keep housing affordable and combat the effects of global warming.
“European cities face the same challenges everywhere: the affordability of housing and democracy are under pressure,” said the mayor of Ghent. “The effects of global warming are being felt even more quickly in cities. It is important that cities are heard. What is good for cities is good for Europe.”
According to De Clercq, cities are the perfect testing grounds for solutions to social problems. “We are extra flexible and resilient,” he stated. “It makes sense that we have a seat at the table.” De Clercq declared that he will travel to Brussels regularly to consult with European commissioners and members of parliament.
Mathias De Clercq is the second mayor of Ghent to become president of the umbrella organisation. Daniël Termont did so before him, he was president from 2008 to 2010.
#FlandersNewsService | Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D'HOLLANDER
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