Three weeks before the local elections on October 13, the RTL Info/Ipsos/Le Soir Grand Barometer reveals key lessons on voters’ concerns.
First issue: mobilization. According to the survey, 90% of Walloons and 79% of Belgians plan to go to the polls to elect municipal councilors, aldermen and mayors. Voters seem more connected to local issues, considered more concrete than federal debates. However, 27% of Flemish people responded that they do not plan to vote.
In Flanders, voting is no longer compulsory for local elections. 35% of Belgians say they agree with this decision. 32% of Walloons think so, 37% in Brussels and 36% in Flanders.
A crucial issue in this campaign concerns security, particularly the presence of surveillance cameras. 72% of Walloons are in favour of increasing these devices, a figure higher than that of the people of Brussels (62%) and the Flemish (57%). The demand from citizens for more security is such that, on this point, the PS mayors are speaking the same language as their colleagues from the ranks of the MR and the Engagés. The PTB and the ecologists are less frank on the matter, displaying reservations about the protection of privacy.
As for the ban on street begging, only 47% of Walloons are in favour, unlike 62% of Flemish people.
Finally, the issue of eliminating the most polluting vehicles in cities is causing debate. In Brussels, the MR, the PS and the Engagés are considering postponing this ban by at least two years. The majority of Walloons are opposed to this measure (63%), while the people of Brussels are divided, with 53% in favour of the ban.
These debate topics are expected to continue to animate the election campaign until election day.
major barometer elections municipal elections 2024
