Gilles Vanden Burre was a guest on Maxime Binet’s “Café sans filtre” morning show on LN24. Inevitably, the environmentalist addressed the party’s recent electoral defeat. “We haven’t adequately addressed people’s problems,” he admitted. “Purchasing power, high bills, work, rising rents… we’ve missed what truly affects citizens.”
To rebuild Ecolo’s image, a leadership change is proposed, replacing outgoing president Jean-Marc Nollet and Rajae Maouane. “That’s why we’ve launched a presidential candidacy with Marie-Colline Leroy under the banner of ‘L’écologie du réel,'” Vanden Burre explained. “Drawing on our environmental convictions, which we need to bring back into public discourse, we must create proposals that improve people’s lives.”
He emphasized the connection between everyday concerns and environmental issues. “We haven’t adequately explained that people’s happiness can be achieved through ecology. Our program addresses the daily worries of Belgians. And that’s where we must strive to convince.”
Ecolo is seeking two new leaders: what are the candidates’ political platforms for co-presidency?
The party experienced a significant collapse during the elections. Maxime Binet pointed out several campaign missteps, including the landscape decree. Ecolo ultimately chose to revise it at the last minute. Was this a mistake? “Fundamentally, I completely understand the rationale behind the decisions because we wanted to help students impacted by COVID,” Vanden Burre said. “Some were completely detached from reality. However, in terms of methodology, we weren’t effective enough. For instance, we didn’t engage sufficiently with academic circles. If I had been president, we would have consulted differently.” He added that the timing, just weeks before the election, was “suspect.”
Ecolo has also faced media criticism, particularly from Philippe Lamberts, who accuses the party of “lacking transparency” and prioritizing minority rights over universalism. “I dislike the approach of airing everything in the press,” Vanden Burre remarked. “With Marie-Colline Leroy, we aim to bring people together. Where I agree with Philippe Lamberts is on the lack of internal democracy. Under previous leaderships, we had a tendency to sweep issues under the rug, rather than resolving them internally and managing our differences. That’s what we’ll do next Monday if we’re elected—with principles of discussion and internal democracy.”
Ecolo Seeks New Leadership: Gilles Vanden Burre’s Vision for “L’écologie du réel”
Following a disappointing electoral performance, Belgium’s Green party, Ecolo, is undergoing a period of introspection and change. In the followingmath of their loss, Gilles Vanden Burre, a prominent environmentalist and potential co-president, candidly acknowledges the party’s shortcomings, stating, “We have not addressed people’s problems enough.” He emphasizes the need to connect with citizens’ daily concerns, particularly concerning purchasing power, rising bills, work, and rent.
Restoring Ecolo’s Image: A New Approach
Vanden Burre emphasizes the importance of a fresh start for Ecolo, advocating for a new leadership team comprised of Marie-Colline Leroy and himself. This team presents a new vision for the party, labeled “L’écologie du réel” (Real Ecology), focusing on re-establishing environmental priorities within public discourse and aligning them with the improvement of people’s lives.
Vanden Burre stresses the need for Ecolo to better demonstrate the relationship between everyday problems and environmental causes. “Our programme responds to the daily concerns of Belgians. And that is where we must try to convince,” he says.
Analyzing the Campaign’s Shortcomings
The recent election saw Ecolo experience a significant decline in support. Maxime Binet, a prominent journalist, highlights several factors that contributed to this setback including the party’s last-minute revision of the landscape decree. Vanden Burre acknowledges the rationale behind the decision, aiming to support students impacted by COVID-19, but admits to a lack of effectiveness in the implementation. “We did not contact academic circles enough,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of increased consultation in future decisions.
Vanden Burre also expresses concern regarding the timing of the decree revisions, just weeks before the election, which he perceives as “suspect.” He believes that the party should have exercised better judgment in their decision-making, especially when considering its potential impact on the campaign.
Transparency and Internal Democracy: Addressing Criticisms
Ecolo has faced criticism from within, with some members, including Philippe Lamberts, alleging a lack of transparency and an excessive focus on minority interests over universalism. Vanden Burre responds to these criticisms, emphasizing the importance of internal dialogue and democratic practices. He acknowledges the value of openness, but opposes “revealing everything in the press,” preferring instead to prioritize internal discussions and conflict resolution within the party. He advocates for a more inclusive approach, where differences are addressed internally rather than through public exposure.
The Road Ahead: Embracing Change and Redefining Ecolo
Vanden Burre’s vision for Ecolo emphasizes a shift towards a more pragmatic and inclusive approach. He believes that “L’écologie du réel” will play a pivotal role in restoring the party’s image, connecting with the concerns of ordinary citizens, and establishing a more transparent and democratic internal framework. Whether this vision can successfully revitalize Ecolo remains to be seen, but the party’s future promises to be a test of its capacity for adaptation and renewal in the ever-evolving political landscape.
