Competent member(s) of Government
Rudi Vervoort
Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urban Development and Urban Renewal, Tourism, the Promotion of the Image of Brussels and Bicultural Issues of regional Importance
Ans Persoons
Secretary of State of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urbanism and Heritage, European and International Relations, Foreign Trade and Fire fighting and Emergency medical Assistance
Response
We support this proposal, or parts of it,
but we cannot implement it.
Explanation
The Brussels Government (and the majority in Parliament) supports the proposal to give regional voting rights to all international citizens resident in Brussels. The principle is also set out in the governmental declaration. However, the Constitution would have to be amended to make this possible, and this would require the agreement of two-thirds of the House of Representatives at federal level. A broader national agreement is therefore required.
In the meantime, and in response to the legitimate demand from international citizens to have a say, a number of initiatives and forms of consultation have been launched, in particular via the present “Brussels Voice” platform or the consultation moment organised within the Brussels Parliament (see also proposal 3).
International citizens resident in Brussels are already entitled to vote in local elections.