The 'Arizona' coalition of parties negotiating the Federal Government has once again been criticised by outgoing federal minister Karine Lalieux (PS) for neglecting Brussels. Lalieux is responsible for Beliris, which funds large-scale projects in the region.
Lalieux again lashed out at the five 'Arizona' parties (right-wing N-VA, Christian Democrats CD&V, socialists Vooruit, centrists Les Engagés and liberals MR) for measures in the leaked draft agreement. She believes these are disastrous for Brussels, especially if funding for Beliris is cut by €150 million. Her French-speaking socialist party is not included in the negotiations.
She argued the Flemish right-wing N-VA party does not care about Brussels or Belgium, and that the region is falling victim to the nationalist agenda of government formator Bart De Wever (N-VA leader) and his party. She accused Les Engagés and MR of inaction in defending the capital.
"Les Engagés and MR are giving in to De Wever and N-VA, sacrificing Brussels on the altar of Flemish nationalism," she wrote in a press statement, Bruzz reported. "Brussels is not the big forgotten region in this agreement, but it is a target."
Metro 3 at risk
She said the cutting of Beliris' funds would make "any expansion of the metro network in Brussels even more hypothetical". The construction of the Metro 3 that should connect north and south Brussels has been ongoing for several years now.
It has encountered issues from day one: works around Midi were halted for about two years with ongoing construction works displacing local businesses; the roof of the iconic Palais du Midi must now be partially dismantled, much to the anger of various civil organisations; most worryingly, the project's cost has doubled from €2.3 million to €4.7 million. This has spurred calls from some to cancel the project.
"Every country in the world invests massively in the mobility of its capital, but here it does not," Lalieux said.
The planned renovation of the Parc du Cinquantenaire on the occasion of Belgium's bicentenary in 2030 is also at risk of being cut by €90 million. She called the planned cuts in Brussels' scientific and cultural institutions a clear signal of "contempt for Brussels".
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She concluded her statement with an urgent appeal to Les Engagés and the MR to stand up for the interests of Brussels. She denounced the unequal treatment of the capital compared to Antwerp, which she said was just being fiscally favoured. "I hope they wake up and finally take responsibility."
Lalieux also sounded the alarm in October, highlighting the problems the proposals at the time would cause the region, including delays to important infrastructure projects. She warned that some plans may even be abandoned altogether. At that time, she calculated that the cost to the Capital Region would be €375 million.
