Brussels campaigns for foreign voters

18 May 2006

BRUSSELS — The city of Brussels is launching a campaign aimed at convincing foreign residents to vote in the October local council elections.

In total, foreign residents — both European and non-European nationals — represent about a quarter of the Brussels city’s eligible voters.

Brussels has subsequently written a letter to its foreign residents informing them that they can register to vote.

Mayor Freddy Thielemans also said on Thursday the city has set up a toll-free phone number (0800 20 035) to help inform foreigners about the elections.

All information can also be found in the July edition of municipal newspaper ‘Brusseleir’ and on the websites www.brucity.be and Brussels Elections 2006.

Non-EU nationals who have lived in Belgium for five years and agree to respect the nation’s laws will be eligible to vote in the local elections this year. Foreign residents in Belgium from EU states are also eligible to vote.

However, foreigners have shown a measure of disinterest in the elections thus far, given the slow rate of registrations.

Subject: Belgian news