Extra savings round of 13 million for Aalst "does not have to lead to layoffs," says Mayor Christoph D'Haese

Mayor Christoph D'Haese of Aalst assures that no new layoffs will occur despite the need to save nearly 13 million euros over the next five years due to cuts from the Flemish government. The exact areas for savings remain unclear, but D'Haese emphasizes that layoffs are not necessary. Previous cuts affected education and childcare, leading to job losses and protests. The city plans to manage the new savings through budget adjustments without raising taxes. Changes in personnel are expected, including shifts in roles and not replacing retiring staff. D'Haese also suggests exploring the use of artificial intelligence to optimize operations without resulting in layoffs.