The Regional Environment Minister Alain Maron has accused the City of Brussels' mayor Philippe Close of "denying democracy" after his latest comments on the closure of the Fuse nightclub, La Libre reports. Close had stated in January that it was "unacceptable" for the establishment to close on the basis of a complaint.
The regional body Brussels-Environment had ordered that the nightclub limit its noise levels and close its doors at an earlier time, after various noise complaints lodged by a neighbour to the club. Fuse had threatened to close but has since been able to reopen its doors for two years, providing it respects certain regulations.
In an interview given to Le Vif, Brussels Mayor Close stated that he was "completely stunned" by the decision – which he believed was taken without taking into consideration the city's nightlife sector. He added that "I don't think that it should be up to (Brussels-Environment) to manage the City."
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When asked about the mayor's comments at a parliamentary hearing last Tuesday, Alain Maron explained that "when the mayor says that it should only be him who decides, that is absolutely insane," in the context that these decisions are outside of Close's jurisdiction.
"We are not in the Far West where politicians can decide on a case-to-case basis," Maron stated, while accusing Philippe Close of "denying democracy" and how the Brussels' political system operates.
The minister concluded that his Green Party (Ecolo) recognised the importance of the city's nightlife, it should not come at the expense of relaxing noise standards. “It is not my political will, nor that of the previous government,” Maron added.
