Cooperation between the Brussels-Capital Region and Brussels municipalities remains a dead letter

In order to achieve better cooperation between the Region and the 19 municipalities, it was decided in the 2019-2024 coalition agreement to set up the consultation platform “G+19”. “However, this intention remains a dead letter. The plan was simply stopped. During this period of government, not a single step has been taken towards institutional unblocking of this region. There is an urgent need for another majority that will pull Brussels out of the quagmire,” says Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre.

The intention was that the G+19 platform would meet at least twice a year to engage in dialogue about strategic and operational objectives. In July, Vanden Borre asked the competent minister, Bernard Clerfayt (Défi party), about the state of affairs again. The latter then stated that the intention to set up the G+19 still existed, however, the government had not yet taken a decision on it.

Postponed 25 times

“Now I read in the policy letter that it was decided to stop the G+19 because there is no agreement. I had already suspected that no agreement could be found because the discussion at the Council of Ministers on the G+19 platform has been postponed no fewer than 25 (!) times in recent years without reaching an agreement,” Vanden Borre notes.

Baronial barracks

“This is yet another broken promise from this majority, as the States General is not delivering anything. In short, everything remains the same,” states Mathias. “Unfortunately, this majority cares little about good governance and transparency. Today, the Conference of Mayors is the only consultative body. But these baronial barracks are not accountable for anything. Even the agenda and the reports are not published. The gap between the region and the municipalities will become even greater this legislature due to the prohibition of holding more than one office and the financial increases for the mayor and aldermen.”

Brussels residents deserve better

The N-VA MP is particularly disappointed in the One.brussels-Vooruit and green parties, parties that advocated more efficient decision-making in Brussels during the previous election campaign. “They have let everything slide the entire legislature and have never called attention to it. They will probably soon go to voters with exactly the same promises. Brussels residents deserve better,” says a disappointed Vanden Borre.