Dare Brussels

These are the main concerns of Brussels residents, businesses and visitors. Not all levers of security policy lie within the Region’s remit. That is true. But the Government must demonstrate responsibility and ambition by taking the lead in defending Brussels and coordinating the various stakeholders within the Brussels region.

It is absolutely essential to develop a holistic response that combines the strengthening of security measures with the strengthening of measures in the following areas:

• Mental health ;
• The fight against addiction ;
• Reception policy (homelessness and undocumented migrants).

Citizens, businesses, workers and tourists all share a common demand: to feel safe within the Brussels-Capital Region. It is therefore essential to tackle the problems linked to insecurity (and the feeling of insecurity), drug trafficking and an asylum policy that is not adequately managed within the Brussels region.

Cleanliness is also a key issue, as it plays a significant role in fostering a sense of security.

Citizens, businesses, workers and tourists all share a common demand: to feel safe within the Region. The Brussels Government must therefore place security at the heart of all its priorities, and the Minister-President will take on a strong coordinating role to bring together all the stakeholders within its territory. In particular, he will implement the following measures:

- Step up checks at key locations (metro stations and railway stations), with greater coordination between the police, STIB security staff and the railway police.

- Increase police patrols on foot (with dogs) or by bicycle to restore a sense of security and foster dialogue with the police;

- Enforce municipal administrative penalties (SAC) to impose financial penalties for minor offences and prevent a sense of impunity from taking hold.

- Support the merger of police zones to ensure both the pooling of resources and greater efficiency for the benefit of the people of Brussels.

It will also be necessary to secure the following measures swiftly at federal level:

- Reform the law on private security and security guard services, in particular to allow security staff in shopping areas to be stationed outside buildings.

- Step up the fight against organised crime (drug trafficking, illegal gambling and betting venues, etc.).

Everyone has the right to housing, but we must not get the solution wrong. We need an administrative ‘fast track’ to boost the renovation and construction of housing. Brussels must also remain a green capital with clean air so that it can climb the rankings of the most liveable cities.

Brussels’ national and international connectivity [railway stations and airport] is an incredible asset. We must nurture this and ensure the safety of transport hubs across the region. The new mobility plan will focus on objectives of traffic flow, accessibility, safety and multimodality to meet the needs of residents and businesses. Freight transport and logistics will be expanded to support a strong policy on urban industry.

Apart from a tax moratorium, entrepreneurs are calling for a clear and simplified legal framework, particularly with regard to planning and environmental permits. Ten principles are proposed for a major administrative simplification drive. Renolution and Shifting Economy will be maintained to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to balance resilience with profitability.

The Brussels labour market is full of paradoxes. It is the country’s leading employment hub; one in two workers is a commuter; there are nearly 94,000 jobseekers within the Region, whilst 128,000 jobs are available in Brussels and within a 25km radius of the city. Attractive training programmes will be developed in collaboration with the economic sectors; sectors that are recruiting will be promoted; and recruitment practices will be overhauled to give young people in Brussels a fair chance.

Every resident of Brussels and every patient will have easy access to appropriate, high-quality care; primary care will be strengthened to ensure access to care, healthcare staff will be valued, and a sustainable funding mechanism for healthcare will be guaranteed. An emergency ‘nursery’ plan will be implemented by increasing funding for authorised facilities through a ‘basic subsidy plus’ scheme, to stabilise the existing provision and encourage the creation of new places, all at an affordable cost.

Brussels will be at the forefront of AI implementation, as it is a key driver for increasing the efficiency of public administration and improving services for citizens and businesses. To accelerate its adoption by all, a training programme will be launched for workers and entrepreneurs. In light of the ongoing cyber-attacks on our territory, the cybersecurity ecosystem will be strengthened, in particular through the creation of a ‘GovTech Hub’.

We must take action on revenue and expenditure and sell off assets in order to reduce debt and restore balance by 2029. Whilst we certainly need to scale back our ambitions as a matter of urgency, we must above all reflect on the Region’s role and the policies it wishes to pursue to protect the people of Brussels and local businesses.

In these very challenging times for our Region, consultation and the joint development of public policies with the social partners will be more essential than ever. The Region’s political and administrative landscape will be streamlined and public bodies will refocus on their core remit. Relations between the Region and the local authorities will be clarified, and a number of powers will be transferred to the Region.

Dare Brussels and put an end to ‘Brussels bashing’. That must be our new motto. We need a breath of fresh air for a multi-capital Brussels that is (re)cognised throughout the world. Let’s turn the Gare du Midi in Brussels North into a model for urban regeneration and make the airport a source of pride.