Since 3 February, David Weytsman has taken over the presidency of the Brussels CPAS, the largest in the country. With a resolutely liberal approach, he intends to refocus the institution on its primary mission: individual assistance and social empowerment. An interview.
Why did you choose to take on the presidency of the CPAS?
We campaigned on essential themes: safety, cleanliness, employment, social empowerment. After our historic result, these priorities had to be at the heart of the term. Since safety falls under the mayor, I wanted to take charge of employment, health, care homes, housing, integration, and support for families and the homeless. So many areas where welfare dependency must give way to merit, effort and empowerment. The CPAS must become a springboard to independence again, not a redistribution desk.
As leader of the liberals at the City, this presidency also gives me a cross-cutting view of public policy in Brussels. David Leisterh and Georges-Louis Bouchez want us to be effective on every front. That is exactly what we are putting in place.
The majority agreement emphasises support towards employment. Is the CPAS not doing enough of that today?
The 3,000 CPAS staff do remarkable work, but the institution must be refocused on its fundamental role: helping beneficiaries regain their independence. CPAS bodies can no longer be mere safety nets; they must become springboards to employment and independence.
Ten years ago, the Brussels CPAS still helped 1,000 people a year find work. That figure has halved. We need to revive that momentum and open up more towards the private sector, where demand is enormous. Some restaurants are closing for lack of staff. We must connect jobseekers with businesses that need them.
"Focusing on the essentials": does that mean abandoning certain activities?
Of course. A CPAS must focus on individual social assistance and work-based integration. Too often, the CPAS has been turned into a sprawling administration, intervening in areas outside its remit. We will sort this out with the general directorates to refocus our actions and eliminate what does not belong.
Furthermore, the budgetary situation is worrying. I want a CPAS managed with rigour, like a prudent head of household. What happened in Anderlecht is an absolute scandal. I will strengthen internal controls to prevent any drift.
Finally, there is duplication between the CPAS and Brucity (the municipal administration). This overlap is costly and burdens management. We are going to sort this out.
You also want to attach more conditions to social benefits. Why?
Social assistance must be a lever towards empowerment, not an indefinite entitlement.
Benefits must be reserved for those who truly need them. But they must also come with effort. I want a CPAS beneficiary who speaks none of our languages to be required to learn French or Dutch. Undertaking training, preparing for a trade, taking part in an integration project: all of this must become the norm.
The Arizona agreement moves in this direction, and we will implement it with ambition. Social assistance must be a springboard, not an inevitability.