People across Brussels are taking to the streets today to show their anger and frustration over the failure by local politicians to form a government.
The city has been without a government for a whole year now, and many residents are fed up with the political impasse.
Speaking to the Brussels Times, CEO of Employers’ organisation Beci Thierry Geerts said: "We strongly believe that we need to solve the problem of no government."
The Beci CEO signed an open letter to lead negotiators for each party in February which warned that if Brussels does not guarantee a safe environment, it will drive away workers and residents.
"It’s stupid we don't have this government to act on practical things", he said, citing the increased feeling that Brussels is an unsafe city as something that has consequences for businesses that rely on visitors.
According to Geerts, businesses have noted the rising debt for the Brussels-Capital region. The capital's debt currently stands at €14billion, and according to Bruzz, Brussels currently loses €4million a day, with a huge gap between how much the city spends and what it brings in.
"No one is managing the problem and businesses are afraid of the boomerang effect of the bill being presented to citizens and businesses to pay", said Geerts. "We need politicians to talk about detail and not politics."
'They're not doing their jobs'
Many residents simply want the politicians to get on with the work they are being paid to do.
Speaking to the Brussels Times in Parc Cinquantenaire, businessman Irfan said called for the politicians’ salaries to be docked until an agreement is reached. This is an idea backed by the centrist Les Engagés party, which said politicians’ pay should be slashed by 30% until they form a government.
“They need to get a grip and sort it out,” said Irfan. “If I don’t work I don’t even get a centime. They’re not doing their jobs and it’s not fair that they’re paid a normal salary. But I think it’ll continue as it is.”
Montgomery resident Emma, 23, was more sanguine about the situation. “What’s happening at the moment is fairly normal for Belgium,” said Emma. “Belgium is very stable and I don’t think a lot will change if they don’t get a new government in Brussels.”
However, Emaa said there are areas where the city needs improvement – notably getting homeless people off the streets and improving air quality and green spaces.
Civic picnic to be staged today
The need for politicians to step up and act for Brussels is a view echoed by Dimitri Meessen, a representative of Respect Brussels, an umbrella organisation bringing together 400 interested parties with a simple message: it is time for politicians in Brussels to form a government and get to work.
Respect Brussels has organised a 'civic picnic' today, June 9th, to mark one year without a government in Brussels. Urging that there is not a moment to lose, they state on their website that "we are witnessing the tragic spectacle of collective political failure."
Meessen told the Brussels Times: "these party presidents are using Brussels to play their game at the federal level. None are respecting Brussels and its citizens."
He said he felt “embarrassed” for the politicians involved, and stressed that the action on Monday is not about complaining but to serve as a reminder "we gave them a mandate a year ago and it would be decent for them to respect that vote and create a future for us."
Meessen joked that he hoped 10,000 people would show up for the picnic, but said it wouldn't be clear until the day. In March the group claims to have had 150 people turn up for a similar civic picnic with minimal promotion. This time with the added support from other groups they are hoping for more.
Beyond today's picnic, Respect Brussels are hoping to secure a parliamentary commission so that citizens can gain the opportunity to speak to politicians directly about the future of Brussels.
"We need to develop a vision for Brussels from the inside out, not from the outside in. This is a completely different place to Flanders and Wallonie", said Meessen.
