‘‘The original sin is to think that Brussels is made up of two communities: Flemish and French-speaking,” analyses in a Le Soir interview Zakia Khattabi, Co-president of Ecolo, who presents a new model for the Brussels region, which she hopes to see ‘‘daring the regional issue.” In this interview published on Monday, she who informs that she has not yet decided for re-election as Head of the Green Party, esteems that ‘‘Brussels cannot remain hostage to two communities, nor to 19 mayors.”
‘‘There is a Brussels regional issue, which we must accept once and for all,” she says, calling to “review the starting point scheme.” “So, we scratch the Region-Community difference?” asks Le Soir. ‘‘Yes, responds Zakia Khattabi, who highlights a “common project with Groen.” ‘‘There is no more need for Cocof (French Community Council), VGC (Flemish Community Council), Cocom (Common Community Council); the Region takes over policies for the Brussels people, and no longer for French-speaking and Flemish-speaking,” she develops.
In passing, a finger is pointed at the plural-function Regional Deputy and Mayor, and at the increasing influence of communities in the capital’s policies. ‘‘So as to take higher ground, our Regional Parliament must be composed of members who have no personal interest, and who have the freedom to think through the regional issue,” she feels, apparently not closing the door to a fusion of municipalities, or to “at least re-examining the municipality boundaries.”
“It is time to offer an alternative model, starting with a blank page. And in my opinion, Brussels is a temple that must be sanctified before the nationalist project,” adds the Groen Co-president.
The Brussels Times
