The Socialist Party (PS) in Brussels sent a new political declaration this week to five partners in a possible left-wing coalition (PS, Ecolo, PTB, Groen, Vooruit, Team Fouad Ahidar), according to Le Soir, who was able to view the memo.
After nearly a year of political deadlock after the elections, PS and MR are at still squabbling over the future of the Brussels Region. It comes after MR’s ongoing failure to form a majority which works for both linguistic communities.
MR were the largest party in the regional elections, followed by PS. However the situation is extremely polarised, with the region’s finances in a dire state and both sides playing political games.
On Wednesday, MR called in the press to announce a political declaration, very similar to their original manifesto, as their latest gambit to unblock the deadlock. PS leader in Brussels Ahmed Laaouej, meanwhile, approached other left-leaning parties to try and form a majority coalition.
On Thursday, Le Soir reported on the details inside political agenda circulated to other parties. It sets out a series of programmatic convergences as well as a budgetary trajectory.
Brussels PS federation chairman Ahmed Laaouej arrives for a press conference in Brussels region parliament, in Brussels, Wednesday 29 January 2025. Credit: Belga
While the measures remain vague, there is a clear assessment of the climate and social crisis in Brussels. However, PS are arguing they will keep the financial and political autonomy of the Brussels Region, in response to MR's proposals of imposing a guardianship regime due to the region’s financial woes.
Unlike MR, PS are betting on tax increases to help reduce the budget. Yet, to sort out the deficit, the socialists have given themselves ten years instead of MR’s seven.
However, both parties agree on maintaining the freeze on civil service recruitment (with certain exceptions for operational functions). According to Le Soir, the administration's payroll has jumped to around €1.7 billion in 2024, from €1.2 billion in 2017.
After the region’s landmark excessive rent control ordnance, PS wants to further increase regulation of the rental market to protect renters from abuses. For renovations, the Renolution grant system would also be overhauled to focus its resources on the least well-off residents of Brussels.
Other measures include the construction of social housing that complies with strict environmental standards and the creation of a fund to centralise rental guarantees which should provide additional financing.
In terms of urban planning, the Regional Land Use Plan (PRAS) is an essential tool for developing the Brussels region, will be reformed to better adapt to climate change and protecting biodiversity, said to be a nod to the greens.
On mobility, want to continue the renovation of public spaces and improve the safety of two-wheeled vehicles. Interestingly, PS seems to be referring to a reduction in transit traffic by working on tax levers.
At this stage, it is premature to consider this left-wing majority a credible or likely scenario, particularly as Le Soir were not given access to the agenda's budget tables.
The socialists propose, in any case, to reach an agreement by 21 July. On Tuesday, the various parties plan to return to consult their respective bodies. At the same time, the regional parliament is set to debate MR's political declaration on Wednesday.
