Aalst's dismissal of general director upheld; complaint rejected

The Agency for Internal Administration (ABB) has dismissed a complaint filed by Wim Leerman, the former general director of the city of Aalst, concerning his dismissal. The ABB investigated Leerman's complaint and concluded that the procedures followed by the city of Aalst in terminating his employment were legally sound.

According to a press release from the city, the ABB examined all 14 points of Leerman's complaint and found no grounds to invalidate the city's decision. Leerman was dismissed by the Aalst municipal council in May. The ABB's review focused on the formal aspects of the dismissal process, ensuring that legal procedures were correctly adhered to, rather than the substantive reasons for his termination.

"There were no reasons to overturn the procedures followed, as far as the agency is competent to do so. This concerns the formal side of the decision, not the substantive reasons for the dismissal," stated Pieterjan Rywalt of ABB. The city of Aalst expressed satisfaction with the ruling, maintaining that all procedures were handled correctly. Leerman, however, retains the option to challenge the dismissal on its merits by taking his case to the labor court.

Meanwhile, the city of Aalst has initiated the process to recruit a new general director, aiming to appoint someone by next year. The decision by the ABB effectively upholds the city's action, though the legal avenues for Leerman are not entirely closed.

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There were no reasons to overturn the procedures followed, as far as the agency is competent to do so. This concerns the formal side of the decision, not the substantive reasons for the dismissal.