My small town of Tervuren, close to Brussels and once home to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, failed to register around 20% of the local electorate for the upcoming October elections. No big deal you may think.
Excluding such a large chunk of the electorate in a town home to so many privileged EU officials is, however, indicative of the broader failure in Belgium to meet the challenges posed by both EU and international mobility.
This is particularly sad given Brussels’ role as the host of EU institutions, NATO, and numerous other international organisations.
Belgium’s third-generation immigrants may be slowly climbing the political ladder, securing posts in major cities, and pushing their way into the country’s six parliaments. However, there remains a profound sense of injustice for the 900,551 voters who are now not entitled to vote in Belgium’s local elections on Sunday, 13th October, due to a cumbersome voter registration system.
Ironically, Brussels has become one of the worst areas for democratic deficit. A total of 260,357 potential voters, or 40% of the registered electorate of 650,000, have not been registered. Several districts in Brussels have more than 50% of the potential electorate unregistered.
Part of the problem is that newcomers often either do not care about or are unaware of local matters. Alternatively, some only realise the importance of these issues when it’s too late, such as when favoured schools or swimming pools close.
A more significant issue is that local politicians often do not want non-Belgians to vote, as it will upset delicate local balances.
Belgium was compelled by the European Court of Justice in 1997 to follow EU law and grant EU citizens the right to vote in local elections.
Sadly, over a quarter of a century later, 84% of the potential 830,107 EU voters will not be able to exercise their electoral rights as European citizens guaranteed by the EU Treaty.
EU journalist Dafydd ab Iago regularly turns, as a volunteer, to local news writing for Tervuren+ at https://www.bravenews.eu/
Tervuren+ is also available via Facebook at https://facebook.com/
Click here for more from Dafydd ab Iago at EU Today
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