Flemish Parliament opposes Brussels city toll

If consultation with the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region does not lead to an acceptable solution, the Flemish Government must use all legal means to ensure that Flemish commuters are not discriminated against by a Brussels kilometre-based charge or city toll in the future. That is stated in a resolution adopted today by the Flemish Parliament. “With this resolution, the Flemish Parliament is sending a clear signal to the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region,” the N-VA says. “We cannot allow Flemish people to be discriminated against in terms of taxes.”

Tax inequality

According to the Brussels Smartmove project, Flemish commuters entering Brussels by car will have to pay a toll or a charge per kilometre from 2022 onwards. For the inhabitants of Brussels, there will be compensation through the abolition of the road tax. For Flemish commuters, it is a new additional tax that is levied on people who cannot vote in Brussels. Although the exact terms have yet to be announced, it is clear that this is a tax inequality.

The plans of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region to introduce a city toll have been discussed in the Flemish Parliament on several occasions. During the topical debate on 21 October, the Flemish Parliament already expressed a clear and widely supported position on the city toll. Flanders made several attempts to reach an agreement, but they are as yet unsuccessful.

Flemish commuters must not be discriminated against

Through this resolution, the Flemish Parliament is asking the Flemish Government to urge the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region to enter into an active dialogue with the other regions on its intention to introduce a kilometre-based charge or city toll. If this dialogue does not provide a solution, the Flemish Government must use all legal means to ensure that the Flemish commuter is not discriminated against.