Protestors say Brussels politicians have abandoned democracy

Concerned residents from various Brussels citizens’ councils have handed out wilted flowers to Brussels MPs to symbolise what they describe as "the declining state of democracy".

The action took place to mark International Democracy Day and the start of the new parliamentary year.

According to the protestors, members of parliament are blocking the proposals formulated by residents in the citizens’ councils. These are proposals that were submitted via the system of consultation committees in the Brussels parliament and relate to mobility, cleanliness and institutional reforms.

“Today, Brussels politicians are blocking these initiatives,” the demonstrators said.

“We’re asking that a consultation committee be organised for every citizens’ initiative that meets the conditions.”

Since the previous legislative period, Brussels MPs have been obliged to set up such a consultation committee in parliament to examine any citizens’ proposal that receives 1,000 signatures from residents.

The citizens’ collectives say several proposals have already collected 1,000 signatures some time ago, including a proposal for a consultation committee on mobility that obtained the necessary signatures in less than 24 hours in June, followed at the end of August by a proposal on cleanliness.

In June, the parliament decided to rule in the autumn on the establishment of a possible committee. The initiators behind the citizens' proposals are concerned that the proposals are being "played off against each other".

“Suddenly, our proposals are being turned into a kind of menu from which politicians can choose. That's no way to treat people,” said David Van Reybrouck, who submitted the mobility-related proposal.

“It's fantastic that the people of Brussels are willing to help en masse when politics is stuck. But how does parliament respond? By changing the rules during the game.”

“All citizens' initiatives that meet the conditions must be dealt with by parliament,” said Jonathan De Jonck, initiator of the proposal on cleanliness.

“In a democracy, political leaders cannot decide à la carte which democratic procedures they follow or ignore.”

Ben Eersels, director of the G1000 residents' group, said Brussels democracy was "in the doldrums".

“A huge number of Brussels residents feel powerless or frustrated,” Eersels said.

“What message are politicians sending when they ignore this? I sincerely hope that parliament will respond favourably to the initiators’ request.”