The N-VA does not want a new curfew in Brussels without parliamentary control

The Brussels government approved an ordinance in the Health Committee today that allows it to restrict the fundamental rights of Brussels residents without any form of parliamentary control, for example, by a curfew. “A pure power grab,” says Brussels MP Gilles Verstraeten. “This Brussels pandemic law goes far too far.”

Health Minister Maron claimed it was a mere technical adjustment to be able to impose face masks on buses, but the ordinance voted on today goes much further. Too far. The government even claims the right to impose its will on the communities in Brussels and to impose restrictions on its own initiative, for example, in schools. That is a blatant misuse of power.

Undermining the rule of law

Gilles Verstraeten: “The government can thus once again impose a curfew and introduce a ban on people gathering without parliamentary debate or control. I proposed that this should only be allowed for non-freedom-restricting measures such as social distancing, wearing a face mask or the rules on hand hygiene. Parliament must be able to express its views on measures that go beyond that, if necessary, afterwards. It is a great pity that they did not follow me in this. We just continue to undermine the rule of law.”

Brussels appropriates powers

There are also fundamental problems with regard to the distribution of powers: “Brussels is appropriating powers under this law to impose restrictions on culture, education, on whatever they want to restrict. There is no obligation whatsoever to consult other regions, such as Flanders or the French Community. Our amendment to inform the relevant authorities and to hold consultations was also rejected.”