Leuven (Eurotoday Newspaper): Marc Devlies, 71, a member of the CD&V party, was not reappointed as alderman after the October 13 elections due to a decline in party support. He now leads the municipal council, succeeding Hannes De Geest.
Marc Devlies, a 71-year-old member of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V), served as an alderman for Finance, Spatial Planning, and Immovable Heritage. He contributed to shaping policies in these areas. In the municipal elections on October 13, CD&V experienced a slight decline in voter support, which affected the party’s ability to negotiate for important positions. The center-left Vooruit party made significant gains, resulting in fewer alderman seats for CD&V in the new administration.
What challenges will Marc Devlies face as chairman of Leuven’s municipal council?
Despite Marc Devlies expressing a desire to remain in an important role, the Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V) started to focus on bringing in younger members to meet changing voter expectations. This decision aimed to introduce fresh perspectives into the party’s leadership. As a result, Devlies was not reappointed to an alderman position, despite his past contributions. This choice reflects CD&V’s reduced influence and its effort to present a more modern image to voters.
Marc Devlies has been appointed as the chairman of the municipal council and the OCMW council. He expressed his respect for the council, stating it is vital for local democracy, and aims to promote constructive discussions. Devlies has served on the Leuven city council for 36 years, including as an alderman and briefly as acting mayor. He also held a federal parliament position and served as State Secretary for Fraud Prevention and Justice. He succeeds Hannes De Geest in this new role.
Comments
3 responses to “Marc Devlies Transitions from CD&V Alderman to Chairman of Leuven’s Municipal Council”
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Seems like the CD&V party thought having a 71-year-old as their poster boy was a great idea—nothing says “youthful change” like a chairman who’s been around since the last century! 😂 Let’s just hope his idea of “constructive discussions” doesn’t involve long-winded speeches about the good old days over a pint. 🍻
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Oh look, Marc Devlies is stepping up as chairman after getting the boot from his alderman gig—guess he’s trading in the finance spreadsheets for council meetings, all while keeping his “vintage” vibe! 🍷 Who said politics doesn’t come with a side of irony? 😂
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Look at Marc, going from alderman to chairman like it’s a promotion and not just a fancy way of saying “we’ve got no one else.” 🎩 To think that after 36 years, he’s still trying to convince us he’s got the “fresh perspective” we need—bless his heart! 😂
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