The Brussels minister overseeing local government affairs is actively promoting increased participation of non-Belgians in municipal elections. Although non-Belgians have had the right to vote

in local elections since 2006, a significant number in Brussels have not exercised this privilege. Among the city's 1.2 million residents, 36.9% come from countries other than Belgium, yet only 15% took part in the most recent municipal elections in 2018. Bernard Clerfayt, a member of the francophone party DéFI, aims to motivate them to engage in the democratic process.

Clerfayt emphasized the importance of involving all residents of Brussels, including non-Belgians, in the electoral process. He declared, "Since they actively contribute to Brussels society, it is logical for them to select their locally elected representatives."

To foster awareness among non-Belgians regarding their voting rights, he is initiating a project call for associations. Clerfayt expressed his conviction that some Brussels residents may not fully recognize the significance of voting, lack sufficient information about the electoral system, or are unaware of their voting rights.

The region has allocated a total of 150,000 euros to support these projects, and associations have until October 27 to submit their proposals. These initiatives may encompass information sessions, informative brochures, events, or discussion groups specifically designed for foreign nationals residing in Brussels. The overarching goal is to raise awareness regarding the right to vote, the authorities' jurisdiction at the local level, registration requirements for European and non-European citizens, and the tangible impact of voting on everyday life.

Municipal, European, federal, and provincial elections are scheduled for June 2024. Photo by Nanardmagos, Wikimedia commons.