Fusion
The merged municipality between Beveren, Kruibeke and Zwijndrecht will be called ‘Beveren Waas’ from January 1, 2025. That name took precedence over ‘Scheldewaas’ in a survey among the residents of the three municipalities.
The name of the municipality that will be created when Beveren, Zwijndrecht and Kruibeke merge on January 1, 2025 was chosen by the residents themselves. They were allowed to make suggestions earlier and could ultimately choose from two names: ‘Scheldewaas’ or ‘Beveren Waas’. The latter name won the online vote.
The name has historical value. He refers to the Land van Beveren and the Land van Waas, administrative areas in the county of Flanders that together comprise the three current municipalities. Zwijndrecht is now the only one of the three municipalities to belong to the province of Antwerp and will also become East Flemish territory after the merger.
Choosing between plague and cholera
The Zwijndrecht population spoke out against the merger in a non-binding referendum, but the municipal council ignored the result. The mayor of Zwijndrecht, André Van de Vyver (Green), has also spoken out against the merger several times and was absent from the ceremonial unveiling of the name. “This merger is not the start of a new municipality, but an expansion of Beveren with Kruibeke and Zwijndrecht, tightly directed from the Gravenplein (the Beaver municipal council, ed.). All choices are made there,” says Van de Vyver. “Zwijndrecht and Kruibeke do not receive all the information and are expected to just follow.”
According to the mayor, residents were also unable to make suggestions for the new name and had to “choose between plague and cholera”. “I therefore stay away from this hypocritical show,” says Van de Vyver. “I do not wish to be part of this sad spectacle.”
With 87,000 inhabitants and 200 square kilometers, the merged municipality will be one of the largest in Flanders in terms of both area and number of inhabitants.
