After 614 days of political deadlock, the Brussels-Capital Region once again has a fully empowered government — a wait far too long for residents who expect their voices to be translated into concrete public policy.
The formation of a government is an essential step forward. In any democracy, elections must result in the capacity to govern. The democratic deficit that has weighed on Brussels for more than a year and a half has finally been lifted.
Restoring Trust Between Brussels Residents and Their Political Leaders
Respect Brussels and WeAreBrussels welcome the end of this institutional impasse. But this is no time for euphoria. This prolonged period of paralysis has left its mark. Key policy files were put on hold, investments postponed, and organisations forced to operate in a climate of uncertainty. The gap between citizens and their elected representatives has widened, while trust in politics has been severely shaken, and will not be restored on its own.
What has unfolded over the past 614 days must never happen again. This was not merely a political crisis. It exposed structural weaknesses in Brussels’ institutional model. When a system buckles under pressure, reform becomes imperative. The formation of a new government alone will therefore not suffice.
Putting Citizens at the Heart of Regional Reform
We call for a far-reaching review of Brussels’ institutions, legal framework and democratic functioning. In our manifesto, we advocate for a Region that is more transparent, more effective and more democratic. But such reform cannot be designed solely from the top down.
Citizens must be able to participate, on an equal footing, in shaping and deciding the future of the Brussels-Capital Region — not through symbolic consultation, but as full partners in the reform process. This debate must be conducted in an open and inclusive manner, beyond political circles alone, as the crisis of trust runs too deep to be resolved behind closed doors.
Brussels needs a shared vision for the future, built with citizens, public servants, academics, civil society and entrepreneurs alike, beyond linguistic and partisan divides. Democracy does not end at the ballot box : it demands continuous engagement.