2024 is a year packed with politics and elections in Belgium. On Sunday it’s time to vote again. This election will renew the municipal and provincial councils . While participation among expats may not be widespread, some are enthusiastic to make their voices heard and play a role in shaping the future of their communities.

 Municipal elections are crucial as they determine the makeup of local councils, with the number of councillors varying according to the size of each municipality. Larger municipalities, for instance, have a greater number of councillors to effectively represent their diverse populations.

Similarly, the provincial council elections will elect representatives for provincial councils, where the number of councillors corresponds to the population of the province. In Antwerp, residents will also vote for their district council, which addresses local matters such as sports, youth programs, culture, and infrastructure. Moreover, municipalities around Brussels that grant special language rights allow residents to elect aldermen and members of social services councils, ensuring that local needs are met at multiple levels of governance.

Who is allowed to vote?

EU citizens living in Belgium can register to vote as soon as they arrive, while non-EU nationals must have resided in the country for at least five years. However, both groups needed to register by July 31, 2024, to be eligible.

As the elections approach, just over 15% of foreign nationals have registered to vote. Among eligible EU residents, 16.27% have signed up, while only 11.91% of non-EU residents have done so.

Registration rates vary by region. In Flanders, 10.4% of EU nationals and 7.6% of non-EU nationals have registered. Brussels shows higher engagement, with 17.09% of EU nationals and 13.25% of non-EU nationals. Wallonia leads with 24.6% and 18.62% respectively, while the German-speaking municipalities report the lowest rates.

In total, 162,817 out of 1,064,506 eligible foreign residents are registered to vote.

Urge for engagement

In his article for The Brussels Times, Gareth Harding argues that many long-term expats in Belgium remain disengaged from their communities. Harding emphasises that this lack of voting undermines Belgian democracy and prevents expats from forming meaningful connections to their neighbourhoods. He urges expats to vote to gain a stake in their communities and influence positive change.

Sarah Münyinera (25) is part of the 15% that is going to vote Sunday. “I used to feel like my voice didn’t matter in local decisions.This year, I’ve realised that voting is my chance to influence the community I call home,” she shares. “Voting in these elections is about ensuring our local government addresses the issues that matter to everyone, especially expats like me. I hope for clearer guidance on the voting process for expats, so we can fully understand and exercise our right to vote.”

Text: Kaoutar El Afi

Photo: © Humanium