Vlaams Belang sets out focus for local elections
Vlaams Belang has put forward its priorities for the local elections in October, including detection brigades for illegal immigrants within local police forces, binding referendums on municipal mergers, zero tolerance for drug use and the abolition of low-emission zones.
The far-right party presented its focuses on Saturday at a congress in Mechelen. They form the basis on which the local election programmes can be built. More than 40 proposals were put forward under a dozen themes.
Vlaams Belang advocates creating a separate investigation brigade within the local police force to pursue a consistent deportation policy. It says municipalities should decide on any reception of asylum seekers and mayors should be given information about radicalised Muslims on their territory.
Dutch only at school
Social housing should give priority to Belgian people, municipalities should emphasise their Flemish character and children must only speak Dutch at school. The party also wants to abolish low emission zones because it believes the limited gains for air quality do not outweigh the negative social consequences.
“We no longer tolerate French-speaking sellers in our markets; we no longer want to give bonuses and subsidies to sports clubs or associations that do not use Dutch exclusively; we no longer give social benefits to people who refuse to speak our language. These are not extreme measures, but common sense measures,” senator Guy D’haeseleer said.
Vlaams Belang won 22 per cent of the vote in Flanders in the 9 June regional elections, behind N-VA's 25 per cent. The municipal elections take place on 13 October. Foreign nationals over 18 living in Belgium are eligible to vote but must register before 31 July via www.inscription.elections.fgov.be.
#FlandersNewsService | Vlaams Belang leader Tom Van Grieken © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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