On, Thursday, which marks the first “Day of the International Bruxellois," a Manifesto created by thousands of the region’s international residents will be presented in Parliament in what is the first step in a move to give them more say in politics.
At the beginning of this month, the "Manifesto for Brussels" included proposals on how the Brussels government can assist and improve the quality of life of non-Belgian citizens in the region, was published by Pascal Smet, State Secretary for European and International Relations, who launched the initiative last year.
Smet's goal for the initiative was to give a voice to international Bruxellois. Despite making up one-third of Brussels inhabitants, it is a group that is largely ignored on a political level.
"Before, they were not thought of enough; although they do a lot for Brussels, they cannot vote in regional elections, so we tend to act like they don't live here. Giving them the opportunity to express themselves and say what they need in Brussels is essential in a city as international as Brussels," he told The Brussels Times.
According to Smet, the project achieved its goal. "The working groups have attracted the attention of many people, showing that there was a need for them to speak out and to express their point of view. It created a very enriching dynamic."
Just a first step
Smet added that the results of this process and the Manifesto itself have shown that the international Bruxellois love Brussels, and that they want to invest themselves and participate in its improvement. "This is now the first step that has been taken," he said.
Emphasising it as a first step, Smet feels there is a "very clear democratic deficit that not all people of Brussels can vote and express themselves on the management and the future of the region," and it is clear more can and needs to be done for this group.
"I am in favour of the right to vote for the international Brussels citizens to vote on a regional level," he said. Currently, international residents can only vote in European elections, as well as on a municipal level, as stated in the EU treaties.
However, this is easier said than done, as this is a federal competence, and is not part of the majority agreement of the Brussels regional government. "But, I hope that this priority for the people of Brussels can be rapidly transferred to the federal level," Smet stressed.
"The day we reform the state and can make the region and the merger of Brussels municipalities coincide, we can possibly offer this group of international Brussels citizens the right to vote in Brussels as well."
International advisory board
Until then, Smet is not only looking to continue pushing this initiative and keep developping it on an annual basis, he also wants to set up an "international advisory board" for internationals, which would help meet their recommendations from the Manifesto.
This board will include representatives of the international community and will be embedded within Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations (CEIO). In this position, the group will be given a voice to speak out about all regional competencies.
The council will also create an annual report with recommendations for the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, which the government will take note of and give responses to, according to Smet. "This will then go to the Brussels-Capital Region Parliament for a debate on an annual basis."
He added that the aim is to have the advisory council up and running by next year. The Manifesto will be presented for the first time to Members of the Brussels Parliament and regional policymakers on Thursday afternoon.
