Belgium's new Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) has announced plans to visit all six Brussels police zones, which the Federal Government plans to merge during the current legislative session.
He will also reach out to Brussels mayors to hear their concerns and expectations. Flemish parties have long called for a merger of the six Brussels police zones while Francophones – incidentally, all of the mayors – are against centralisation.
Last week, the proposed merger was included in the federal coalition agreement of N-VA, CD&V, Vooruit, MR and Les Engagés, the members of the new 'Arizona' government.
Last month, the conference of Brussels mayors, representing the 19 mayors of the capital, reiterated its "unanimous" opposition to the merger.
Speaking at MR ministers' presentation by party chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez on Monday morning, Quintin acknowledged internal party questions regarding the plans but stressed the importance of safety.
"Belgian and Brussels citizens are not interested in the debate over one or more police zones. They want to be able to go outside at any time without worrying," Quintin stated.
According to Quintin, the merger will lead to better administration and relieve police officers of administrative tasks. "This way, they can perform their core duty properly: ensuring the safety of citizens."
