Flanders Day: ‘2024 can become turning point for democracy,’ says parliament president

Today, 11 July, is Flanders Day or the Day of the Flemish Community of Belgium. In a speech at Brussels city hall, Flemish parliament president Liesbeth Homans said that 2024 could "become a turning point for democracy" as important elections are organised around the world this year. She already called on people to use their right to vote in the local elections in October, even though compulsory voting has been abolished.

Traditionally, the Flanders Day speeches often deal with the structure of the state and Flanders' role in that structure. Parliamentary president Homans also reiterated that institutional reform is needed. "If Flanders wants to remain prosperous, as far as I am concerned, very thorough institutional reforms are absolutely necessary,” she stated. “Flanders is ambitious but lacks some crucial levers to achieve even more goals.” According to her, the country's structures must be "fundamentally redrawn".

Brussels mayor Philippe Close also referred to the issue of institutional reforms. "Throughout history, the various state reforms have complicated Brussels,” he declared. “Our structures are complex and need to be simplified for the benefit of the people who live and work here. We have to dare to admit that," Close added, while stressing that it should be the people of Brussels themselves who come up with a proposal.

The focus of Homans’ speech however lay on the importance of democracy and democratic elections. "Worldwide, 2024 is one of the most important election years ever," she said. This year, about half the world's population has to go to the polls. Therefore, she said, it is a potentially key year for democracy in general.

Homan stressed the importance of public participation and already called on voters to use their right to vote in the local elections on 13 October, even though compulsory voting has been abolished.

She emphasised that the threat of authoritarian regimes, such as the Russian regime, proves that we should not take democratic values too much for granted. Flanders must therefore "continue to embody the voice of peace, human rights and democracy".

_{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish parliament president Liesbeth Homans speeches at Brussels' city hall, as part of the celebrations on Flanders Day, 11 July 2024 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}