Around 500 people gathered in front of the Brussels Stock Exchange building on Monday to hold a giant picnic in protest against the lack of a Brussels government, according to the capital’s local police.
On 9 June 2024, Belgians voted in European, legislative, and regional elections. A year later, the Brussels-Capital Region remains without a fully functioning government due to months of unsuccessful negotiations and mutual vetoes.
"Enough is enough" was the message from hundreds of citizens who assembled at around 12:00 on the Stock Exchange square, equipped with picnic blankets and snacks.
Participants pictured during the protest picnic against the lack of a Brussels government one year after the regional elections. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
The event included the participation of artists, civil servants, employers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and members from various associations, both Dutch-speaking and French-speaking.
One of the co-organisers of the picnic, Daniel Verougstraete, emphasised the financial repercussions of the political paralysis for "a whole series of organisations and associations". He noted that the deadlock prevents the implementation of many policies, including infrastructure investments and decisions related to security, cleanliness, housing, and "many other challenges."
Picture of the protest picnic on 9 June. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
The capital "deserves a government, but also an institutional structure different from the one it currently has," continued Verougstraete. The organisers contend that current political structures are ineffective, suggesting, for example, the simplification of voting lists which traditionally separate French and Dutch speakers.
They demand governance that is "effective and respectful of Brussels’ identity and reality" and urge political leaders to genuinely collaborate with the population.
