The MR welcomes the expansion of the legal framework of Brussels' powers in public security matters
“As early as 2014, I called for a unified command at the Brussels regional level in the event of exceptional occurrences. As we have seen on numerous occasions, the Hycap system, federal support or the emergency capacities of the federal reserve failed to ensure security and the protection of property,” explains federal MP Philippe Pivin.
The MR Group in the Federal Parliament therefore welcomes the fact that the Federal Government has finally proposed an amendment to the law amending the law of 7 December 1998 organising an integrated police service, structured at two levels to implement an integrated and comprehensive security policy within the provinces and the Brussels-Capital Region.
An operational and political accountability that the MR has been calling for years, notably from 2014 by Philippe Pivin, then Regional MP and Mayor, and from 2015 by Didier Reynders, then Deputy Prime Minister.
Philippe Pivin stated before the Chamber's Interior Committee that “this new legal arrangement, provided for in the government agreement, finally makes it possible to fully hold the future Brussels Minister-President accountable for security during major events and activities. We at the MR have been calling for this for years! Need we remind everyone of the looting of Brussels city centre, the smashed shop windows, the near-riots, the burning of police stations,… And each time: who did what? Who decided what?”
Philippe Pivin concludes: “since 2014, I have pointed out that, while we believe that the hobby-horse of some Flemish parties wanting to merge the 6 Brussels police zones would bring no added value - and all experts and analyses over the past 10 years have shown the lack of value in such a merger of Local Police services in Brussels -, providing for a structured unified command enshrined in law at the Brussels regional level is essential for certain events or crises taking place in Brussels. This will increase operational decision-making efficiency and finally establish genuine political accountability for regional security, in keeping with the special status of our capital and the European capital!”