Ecolo has concluded that it "needs to change radically" following the results of a survey that marks a turning point for the Francophone green party.
After an electoral blowout in federal elections in June last year, the Francophone green party vowed to do some soul-searching and come up with a way to better understand its voters and their needs.
The party launched a survey to identify its weak points in January under the slogan "We screwed up". Three months later, the results are in and Ecolo has conceded that it "needs to change radically" if it wants to stay relevant.
During a month-long period, 18,500 people were asked the question "What kind of ecology do you want?".
In the findings, 81% said they were worried about the planet while 45% were "very worried", but only 58% responded that they were ready to make sacrifices for the environment.
The top three priorities for respondents were a healthy environment (61%), good personal health (60%) and financial stability (34%).
Two in three young people called on Ecolo to change its name, while 61% underlined that a green party in Belgium was still essential. Yet disillusion is growing in the environmentalist party ranks – 63% said they had lost faith in politics, even if two in three respondents still want to be more politically engaged.
Official relaunch
Based on the results, Ecolo will hold an official party relaunch on 22 April: Earth Day.
"Contrary to what some people would have us believe, the vast majority believe that ecology cannot be delegated to other parties," said co-leader Samuel Cogolati. "Belgians want a political force capable of defending our environment. But we must have the lucidity and humility to admit it: not in Ecolo's current form."
"So we change. But not alone! Our doors and windows are wide open," said co-leader Marie Lecocq. "We are launching a new popular ecology movement that is bigger, more rooted in scientific truth and bolder. To give us back the power to act together."
