Brussels is in need of Change

“Progress for Brussels will come from the N-VA, or it won’t come at all.” Brussels leading candidate Cieltje Van Achter laid out the N-VA electoral programme for Brussels together with N-VA top figures Karl Vanlouwe, Assita Kanko and Elias Kartout. “Progress in Brussels means a break from the trend in the past. An end to the fragmentation, a firm approach and a liveable city. This progress will not come from the parties that are continuously in power. Brussels is in need of daring and decisiveness.”

One single urban region, one single policy

The Brussels N-VA has readied a ten-point programme for our capital. The most important among those points is the merger of the 19 Brussels municipalities into one single urban region that implements one single policy for all Brussels residents. “The N-VA is convinced that Brussels residents are yearning for progress. That a great many Brussels residents want a break from the trend, to get the city moving, that problems may be recognised and addressed and firm answers are necessary. For us, that is what is at stake in these elections,” says Cieltje Van Achter.

The Flemish approach works

Karl Vanlouwe, Brussels leading candidate for the Flemish Parliament, praised the Flemish approach in Brussels. He referred to the Dutch-language education: “The Dutch-language education has become a real label of quality, every Brussels resident recognises that. But also in the fields of culture, well-being and the integration of newcomers, Flemish efforts are highly laudable. The Flemish approach works. Let’s now use those good Flemish recipes in our capital as well.”

More efficient and secure

Elias Kartout, parliamentary leading candidate, emphasised the importance of a good and efficient security policy for Brussels. “The six police zones in Brussels are staffed by 5,200 police officers who devote themselves to our security day and night. But the complex organisation of the 6 police zones is an obstacle to quick and strong action when unexpected events arise. The merger of the police zones would make the police so much more efficient while retaining a strong local neighbourhood feel,” Elias Kartout concludes.

Brussels holds the aces to shine

On the European list of the N-VA too, a Brussels resident is getting a prominent position. Assita Kanko, second on the European list, stood up for the added value that Europe offers for Brussels residents. “Brussels is like a first date. Exciting and sexy. But all too soon: complicated, forget about that second date. This is also the case for companies that are leaving London as a result of Brexit. Only a very few companies are opting for Brussels. That’s a shame, because Brussels has many aces and could shine in the world. We will tackle the Brussels mismanagement and carry out an active policy to attract new institutions, foreign companies and talents,” says an ambitious Assita Kanko.

Question of will and daring

The N-VA wants a break from the trend in the past for Brussels and is therefore opting for change in order to be able to make progress. “Progress in Brussels is possible. It is not a question of ability, but of will and daring,” leading candidate Cieltje Van Achter concludes.