Citizen survey on Belgian state structure to revitalize democratic process

The Belgian government is launching a citizen survey on the Belgian state structure, citizen participation and fundamental rights. It is a first in Belgium and its purpose is to revitalize the democratic process.

Unitary Belgium evolved since 1970 into a federal state, composed of three communities and three regions. In six state reforms, powers were decided through constitutional amendments. Up until now, state reforms have taken place in the back rooms of castles, during long nightly negotiations after which a solution is reached of which everyone wonders how it came about. "We want to do that radically differently and put the question directly to the citizens," Prime minister De Croo said, calling on everyone to take advantage of the opportunity. "This exercise will lead to something."

Citizens, classes, civil society organizations have six weeks to express their opinions on six themes. The themes, formulated as questions are: What is the role of the citizen? How do we organize our country? How should the parliament and government work? What are our constitutions? Who does what? How do we organize elections? ​
​Each theme has four to five challenges on which participants can formulate their opinions. In the first theme, the role of the citizen, for example, participants are asked who should be involved in debates such as pensions, euthanasia, energy and sustainable development. Each theme is framed with the necessary information so that participants can express a well-founded opinion. These opinions must also be formulated by the participants themselves, there are no multiple choice questions.

It is not a poll or a referendum, explained Professor of Constitutional Law Patricia Popelier (UA) and Professors of Political Science Dave Sinardet (VUB) and Jean-Benoit Pilet (ULB), who collaborated on the project. Because the questions are open, it is not a question of keeping track of the percentage of Belgians who want to abolish the Senate or who want larger electoral districts, but rather a question of finding out what is going on and of coming up with ideas that are perhaps not yet part of the political debate today. This working method should also help to prevent interest groups from hijacking the survey by mobilizing members en masse.

The academics and experts who developed the whole exercise will produce a report by autumn, which will be made public and shared with the government and parliament. In a next phase, mixed citizen panels could work with the report in the Chamber. Whether and when those panels will be established is up to the hemisphere to decide, but the government is working on the necessary legislative framework.

The federal government wants to prepare another state reform by the end of the legislature, in 2024. The real political work will therefore not take place until after the next elections. Therefore, the citizen survey does not replace the classic party political negotiations. "It's a kind of national brainstorming exercise to get suggestions from citizens, schools, class groups, civil society, academics and local authorities," said Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, responsible for institutional reform and democratic renewal together with Minister of the Middle Class David Clarinval.

All Belgians and residents of Belgium over the age of 16 can access the Citizens' Survey at eenlandvoordetoekomst.be.

(HC)

© BELGA PHOTO A Belgian flag with the Flemish lion and the Walloon rooster embracing each other pictured during the demonstration called "Shame, No Government, Great Country", in Brussels in 2011. The idea was launched by students, as Belgium had been waiting for a new government for more than 200 days after the federal elections of June 2010. Eventually a government was installed after 541 days.