Freya Piryns was given the title of honorary councilor by the Antwerp city council. She served on the council for twenty years. She decided last year to quit politics, but due to corona, an appropriate goodbye was delayed. Piryns was present at the hearing on Monday evening.

Piryns received flowers not only literally, but also figuratively. Former party leader and councilor Wouter Van Besien (Groen) praised her efforts and commitment to asylum policy, road safety and education. “Her interventions were clear and sharp, and at times cynical, but the latter was not successful,” says Van Besien.

Alderman Claude Marinower (Open Vld) also brought back memories about Piryns. Marinower was responsible for education in the previous legislature.

“Piryns certainly not only my teeth around my policy, but all my teeth,” says Marinower. “Sometimes it was tough. Yet I appreciated you. Education was more important to you than politics. You stood up for the students in your class.”

The interventions from the council investigations clearly Piryns. svw