When asked what he likes about Brussels, the Ostend native cites the late Arno, who was, like him, an Ostend-Brussels native.I was lucky enough to meet him. Arno often said that Ostend is a bit like Brussels-beachcontinues Me Deswaef. Arno was right. This is the case, for example, at the architectural level. I, who am sensitive to the colonial question, see many similarities between Ostend and Brussels. The link is Leopold II and the money from the Congo.”
And to slip: “Moreover, if I had a first suggestion to make to our candidates in the local elections, it would be to take a greater interest in the decolonisation of public space in Brussels.“.
Jean-Philippe Mayence wonders “if all this money that has been invested in Charleroi over the last twenty years has been invested correctly”
A “less fearful” mayor
He continues: “Otherwise, I like Brussels City because it is incredibly rich in culture. Then you can enjoy a special beer in many cafés, go to the cinema in exceptional venues like the Palace, walk on the pedestrian area which – whatever its detractors say – is a success. As a daily cyclist, I also think that the city has evolved. Before, a cyclist was considered an alien. We are no longer there today. One of my favourite places is the Place de la Liberté for everything it symbolises. (it is there, in the Quartier des Libertés, that his law firm is located, Editor’s note)”.
You can also come across him at demonstrations and rallies, which are almost daily in Brussels City. And for good reason, Brussels is also the capital of Europe and the seat of many international institutions, partly based in the territory of Brussels City.We often hear the mayor complain that there is a huge workload related to these demonstrations, exclaims Alexis Deswaef. There is rather reason to be proud to see a democracy in action on its territory.”
“We need to make Brussels a city-region, with districts, like in Paris”
And the lawyer criticizes the police management of some of these gatherings.Law enforcement needs to be aware that some of their leaders should not play Robocop. I say this because most police leaders know this and do it intelligently. But not everyone does…”
The link with the October local elections, one wonders?The mayor is the head of the police, he recalls. But in reality, this does not always seem to be the case. I dream of a future mayor who will not be afraid of his police.. I will give you an example: the case of Sourour Abouda, who died in a police cell in Brussels City. When the information was made public, the mayor’s first reaction was to defend the police before even waiting for the results of the investigation. As if he did not dare to express the slightest criticism of his police.”
Quality of life ranking: here is the most pleasant city in the world, where does Brussels rank?
For human dignity
In conclusion, Alexis Deswaef also mentions precariousness and homelessness, which are increasingly visible in the city’s streets.We often forget, but refugee candidates sleep in our parks because they do not receive the accommodation they are legally entitled to. I dream that the fight against poverty and homelessness will be the fight of representatives of all parties. Because it is not a fight of the left or the right, but a fight for human dignity. Especially since good ideas, at the municipal level, are often transversal… provided that the directives are not dictated from certain party headquarters…”
