THIS WAS OUR COMMITMENT
In 2024, you, the residents of Ixelles, placed your trust in us in large numbers. We presented you with an ambitious, solid and realistic programme. Our goal was clear: to put a stop to excessive taxation, strengthen security, and promote a more pragmatic, less ideological approach to mobility, allowing everyone to move freely while preserving nature, the priority of our century. Strengthened by your support, we formed a new municipal majority and, most importantly, obtained the vast range of local powers on which we wanted to take action.
The regional deadlock, caused by certain irresponsible and incomprehensible vetoes, is the failure of parties unable to agree on shared priorities at a time when our Region is on the brink of the abyss.
Yet here in Ixelles, we demonstrate that constructive dialogue between democratic forces remains possible. That despite our differences, our love for our municipality makes compromises possible. No exclusions, except when it comes to extremism, whether from the left or the right.
For the past year, driven by our First Alderman and Registrar of Civil Status, our four Aldermen and our Vice-President of the Public Centre for Social Welfare, our President of the Municipal Council, as well as our 13 elected members of the Municipal Council and our five representatives at the Public Centre for Social Welfare, we have been fully mobilised to place Ixelles among the top three Brussels municipalities in which it is most pleasant to live.
Improving life in Ixelles does not happen overnight. We have already taken a first major step, but the road ahead remains long. We move forward with determination, step by step, staying true to our commitments and to our attachment to everything that Ixelles has to offer and represents.
The first results are here. Below is an overview of the actions already taken.
1
NO TAX INCREASE
- This is a liberal commitment. And it is being honoured.
Despite our very difficult financial situation, we fought to ensure that no additional taxes would be introduced before 2027 (the end of the three-year budget cycle). We will continue to fight to prevent any new taxes on the residents of Ixelles during this term. The solution to a balanced budget lies in the necessary reduction of public spending. You elected us to protect and improve the purchasing power of the people of Ixelles. We will not back down from that commitment.
- This is a societal commitment. We work on it day and night.
In Ixelles, local police presence has been reinforced to concretely improve public order and combat drug trafficking. Coordinated operations with the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone have led to numerous targeted searches. The “hotspots” strategy strengthens the fight against street dealing.
2
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
3
A CLEANER MUNICIPALITY
- This is a civic commitment. The first results are visible.
We have extended the working hours of our cleaning and prevention teams to ensure their presence from early in the morning until late in the evening throughout the municipality. Targeted operations have been carried out in priority neighbourhoods, such as Matonge. The fight against the proliferation of rats and other pests has been significantly intensified.
- This is a unifying commitment. Mobility for everyone.
We ended paid parking after 7 p.m. in red zones, reopened the connection between the Ixelles ponds in both directions to improve traffic flow between North and South Ixelles, and requested the Region to introduce two-way traffic on the Fraiteur bridge. We inaugurated the largest municipal bicycle parking lot under Place Flagey and launched a major plan to secure school surroundings, accompanied by an awareness campaign on responsible mobility (steps, safety, behaviour). The 30 minutes of free parking around Châtelain were extended during the works at Bailli.
4
MOBILITY THAT UNITES RATHER THAN EXCLUDES
5
IXELLES, A CULTURAL HUB
- This is a convivial commitment. Culture brings us together.
Ixelles is making a major reinvestment in culture, convinced that it brings all the people of Ixelles closer together, regardless of who they are or what they believe in. We launched the ‘Fête de la Musique’ on 21 June, organised open-air cinema screenings, and are actively preparing the reopening of the Ixelles Museum in early 2027. We are also developing a tourist map of artistic, cultural and heritage sites to showcase and promote our many assets better. This is where it happens: in Ixelles !
- This is a family commitment. Investing in the future of our children.
We are improving the well-being of children in our schools by upgrading school buildings, strengthening pupil protection through anti-bullying and anti-violence protocols, and developing cultural workshops to enrich their educational journey. We want Ixelles to be a municipality where families choose to settle again to build their family homes. We will soon open two new childcare centres (70 places in Rabelais and 56 in Petite Suisse), and have launched the works for the new Dutch-speaking school.
6
STRENGTHENING OUR SCHOOLS AND EXPANDING CHILDCARE CAPACITY
7
PROTECTING NATURE AND OUR BIODIVERSITY
- This is a pragmatic commitment. Protecting without restricting.
We have installed beehives and an insect hotel at the Ixelles Cemetery, developed eco-grazing in Boondael, and prepared a strategy to combat the Asian hornet. XL Air campaigns monitor air quality in several neighbourhoods. Finally, the energy renovation of public buildings sustainably reduces energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and future expenses.
- This is a dynamic commitment. Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
Specific support was provided to businesses in Bailli during the STIB works. We have launched the “Alliance for Porte de Namur” with local stakeholders to revitalise this major economic hub. The Customer Weekend and the Women Entrepreneurs’ Week highlighted the talent and boldness of those who drive the Ixelles economy. We have also launched the General Assembly of Ixelles Commerce, with meetings in every neighbourhood to listen, understand and take action.
8
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES
9
AGEING WELL AND WITH DIGNITY
- This is an obvious commitment. Making everyday life easier for older people.
We promote quality living at home for our seniors by strengthening support and services that allow them to stay in their homes longer and with greater peace of mind. We upgrade public spaces to make them safer and more welcoming, with mobility adapted to everyone, in order to enhance the overall quality of life.
- This is an international commitment. Integrating expats into Ixelles better.
We have simplified civil status procedures (marriages, legal cohabitation) and have improved communication to welcome foreign workers better, including in English. We have also strengthened ties with the European institutions and the academic community.
10
WELCOMING EXPATS BETTER
BACK TO WORK
REFOCUSING THE PUBLIC CENTRE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ON ITS MISSION OF SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION
Our Vice-President and councillors of the Public Centre for Social Welfare are refocusing the institution on its essential missions, first and foremost: the social and professional integration of beneficiaries. Our vision is clear: the PCSW must be a springboard, not a lifelong solution. It must provide everyone with the means to rebuild their autonomy. We will make Ixelles’ PCSW a benchmark for professional reintegration. The reform of unemployment benefits represents a major opportunity to accelerate this transformation.
