Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- In the field of mobility, more consultation is needed, and for employment, he is aiming for far-reaching cooperation with partners in the neighbourhoods where unemployment is highest, says BRUZZ. Brussels MR chairman David Leisterh speaks in La Dernière Heure about his ambitions for the regional and local elections of 2024 . “I am convinced that Brussels needs the liberals. He excludes collaboration with the N-VA.
Leisterh understands the reaction of some residents of Cureghem during the Anderlecht city council earlier this month. According to Leisterh, the way in which the circulation plan has been introduced has caused resentment. The reaction of some residents stems from a lack of opportunity to participate: “If you really want to make the city quieter – or car-free – you have to do it with expertise and use the right method.”
Leisterh also hears similar sounds in other municipalities. “I don’t want to generalise, but according to the feedback I get, the same problems are popping up in different municipalities. You can’t calm a city like Brussels, ‘ apaiser’. “
What does work, according to Leisterh: “First: consultation. It is complicated, it takes time, but it is crucial. Some municipalities are doing well. But it is not enough to ask the residents if they want a quiet neighbourhood. they should ask them how it is possible in their opinion. Secondly, we should invest in alternatives to the car before we ban it. The coverage of the STIB network has hardly changed over the past twenty years.”
Privatise to accelerate
According to Leisterh, ‘Good Move’ is a step in the right direction. “We support the philosophy of less pollution and less traffic jams. But it is not done well in Brussels. The investments in trams and metros are not forthcoming.” Leisterh argues that Brussels should not shy away from new technologies. “The current majority is stepping on the brakes too much: you can see that in the discussion around Uber.”
According to Leisterh, the Brussels Region could privatise some of the public transport services in order to speed up the process. “Let’s appeal to the private sector through management contracts. Different players who build or operate lines. Madrid, Barcelona and Copenhagen have done it and it works. Even the Walloon TEC and De Lijn outsource certain bus lines.”
In the past, the MR has not often taken a clear position on the future of the Herrmann-Debroux viaduct in Auderghem, one of the major mobility issues in the region. Should it be demolished? During the interview with La Dernière Heure , Leisterh admits this wholeheartedly. “It’s a scar at the entrance to the city. So it has to be demolished. But with what alternative project?”
This spring, the Brussels government approved the Construction Guidance Plan, which lays down the transformation from viaduct to city boulevard, as well as its surroundings. According to Leisterh, the transit parking planned at Delta is not sufficient. Leisterh also regrets that the government is not taking the opportunity to expand the metro network.
MR in government?
“When we come to power in 2024, we will immediately physically establish our MR offices in the ten neighbourhoods where unemployment is highest in Brussels.” Lesterh is thinking of far-reaching collaborations between different partners. In order to create an economic ‘ecosystem’, mainly around the schools.
An Actiris branch, a training centre, a crèche, companies. He also wants to give companies the opportunity to train their staff themselves. If the company gets approval, it becomes a training company. Part of the training costs would then be covered by the government. “At the end of the course, the trainee is then hired by the company. France has implemented this process, with great success.”
Leisterh realizes that his party has been in opposition in Brussels for twenty years. What does the MR miss to finally be part of a majority in Brussels? “We have many new profiles. It will take time for these faces to be known to the public. I am optimistic. I am convinced that Brussels needs the liberals.”
Who would govern MR with, if the voter wanted to do so in 2024? “Brussels lacks a great centre-right force. We liberals sometimes feel a bit alone. Défi is sometimes close to our positions, but unfortunately is in a left-wing coalition. We open our doors to liberal projects, in every municipality. The door is wide open for those who want to join us. They know it.”
An alliance with N-VA excludes the chairman of the MR for the time being. “I have always seen the project of the N-VA in Brussels as Bruxelles Murder. Institutionally speaking, their vision of Brussels does not correspond to ours.”
