Brussels formateur Elke Van den Brandt says compromise on LEZ is only way to restore trust
Brussels formateur Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) demands that the French-speaking parties withdraw their proposal to postpone the low emission zone (LEZ) and calls on them to work on a negotiated compromise. This is the only way to restore confidence in the formation of the Brussels government, she says.
The French-speaking coalition partners in Brussels - MR, PS and Les Engagés - jointly tabled a proposal in the Brussels Parliament to postpone the tightening of the environmental zone by two years, from 1 January 2025 to 1 January 2027. They did this without consulting Flemish formateur Elke Van den Brandt, who is trying to form a majority on the Flemish side.
"The three French-speaking parties stuck a knife in my back last week. I can't work like that. If they feel they want to respect Groen, they should actually consult with Groen," Van den Brandt said. "That is why I ask them to withdraw their proposal as soon as possible and work on a negotiated compromise".
"The three French-speaking parties stuck a knife in my back last week. I can't work like that"
For Van den Brandt, postponing the LEZ is not an option. The politician calls the withdrawal of this proposal an "essential signal". She does believe that a negotiated solution can be found soon, for example by temporarily freezing LEZ-related fines.
Legal issues
According to Van den Brandt, the French-speaking parties' proposal is not legally sound. Since additional emission rights will have to be paid for, postponing the LEZ will come at a high price. It will also be legally challenged, she argues, because it is going back on last-minute agreements made eight years ago.
"We owe it to the people of Brussels to have a policy that is legally and politically stable. Citizens need legal certainty. That is why I want to present a negotiated compromise proposal that is legally and politically sound," Van den Brandt says.
The move to postpone the LEZ was spearheaded by French-speaking formateur David Leisterh. Although he has cautiously apologised for the unilateral move on Tuesday, he seems unwilling to withdraw the proposal. The formation of a government in Brussels before the local elections on 13 October therefore seems all but impossible.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN
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