The local list STiP+ and the far-right party Vlaams Belang are to form a municipal coalition in the West Flemish town of Izegem. The two parties already had reached an agreement a month ago, but STiP+ pulled out at the 11th hour claiming that some of its councilors had received threats from those opposed to far-right representation in the municipal cabinet. However, just over 6 weeks since the municipal elections the STiP+ and Vlaams Belang have announced that they will hold the reigns of power at Izegem Town Hall for the next 6 years.
After Ranst and Brecht (both Antwerp Province), Izegem has become the third Flemish municipality in which another party has entered into coalition with Vlaams Belang. Elsewhere, the local branch of Vlaams Belang that stood for election as Forza Ninove won an overall majority in the East Flemish town of Ninove.
Although both parties had signed the coalition agreement they reached a month ago it had not yet been handed in to the Director-General of the municipality, who is the head of the municipal civil service. Consequently, the agreement had not been validated and STiP+ was able to pull out.
Following the alleged threats made against STiP+ councillors, 2 of them said that they had decided not to take their seats. If this were the case a STiP+/Vlaams Belang coalition would no longer have a majority. All 15 STiP+ councillors are needed for coalition to have a 1-seat majority.
Now it would seem that all the STiP+ councillors are backing the coalition and on Tuesday afternoon the paperwork will be handed over to the Director General at the Town Hall. Kurt Grymonprez (STiP+) will become the Izegem’s new Mayor.