How many votes does a Dutch-speaking candidate have to get to be elected to the Brussels parliament? Why does that parliament have a permanent Flemish representation? And what are the powers of the six Brussels residents in the Flemish parliament? These are just a few questions that Bram and Steven are considering in the run-up to the elections.
The aim of the new podcast is to explain the specificities of the Brussels elections in an accessible way. Do not expect analyzes of parties, programs or campaigns. ‘Only in Brussels’ stays away from what happens on the election scene, but delves into the engine room. Why does a French-speaking candidate have to get a multiple of the votes of a Dutch-speaking candidate? Is that democratic? And what does that mean for the distribution of seats?
Sexy politics
“I see it as my duty to make what is boring, technical and abstract – which elections and politics can certainly be – simple and sexy,” says Bram Van de Velde. “Politics should be accessible. Because it’s about all of us. Yet there is a wall of jargon and rules, which are even more difficult for Brussels. I want to demolish that wall little by little. The Brussels political structures are complex but oh so interesting. Fortunately, I have a political animal like Steven Van Garsse next to me who I can open like a walking encyclopedia. I am convinced that if I understand it, everyone can understand it.”
In the first episode, Bram and Steven look for an answer to the following question: Is a vote for a candidate on a Dutch-language list for the Chamber of Representatives in Brussels a wasted vote?
Only in Brussels is published weekly on Thursdays.
