Brussels – Brussels Parliament President Bertin Mampaka (MR) has proposed relocating the parliament to the largely unused Senate buildings to reduce costs, minimize expensive repairs, and sell the current premises, reports 24brussels.
Mampaka stated on Bel RTL radio that the Senate’s meeting hall and other facilities are frequently vacant due to the reduced legislative activities of the Senate. He criticized the current parliament buildings as inadequate.
He pointed out that the existing facilities are in poor condition, require costly repairs, and that additional office space is being rented. The transition to the Senate buildings could not only lead to financial savings but could also generate revenue through the sale of the current buildings.
“So I’m going to propose to move to the Senate buildings. That way we can sell the current parliament buildings.”
Bertin Mampaka (MR), the President of the Brussels Parliament
Implications of Relocating to the Senate Buildings
If the proposal is approved, it would mark the first instance of the Brussels Parliament sharing space with the national government. This collaboration could enhance interactions between regional and federal entities, although extensive planning and consensus would be necessary, in light of the federal ownership of the building.
Mampaka reiterated that the current parliament building is insufficient, emphasizing its small size and the necessity to rent additional space. Relocating to the Senate buildings would provide ample space and consolidate all parliamentary functions in one location. The Senate facilities are centrally located and equipped with necessary amenities.
According to Mampaka, this proposal is a forward-thinking solution that would alleviate financial burdens and improve operational efficiency. He underscored that the vacant Senate buildings should not be squandered while the parliament faces space shortages.
This initiative might encounter resistance, particularly due to the implications of a regional parliament operating within a federal building. Nonetheless, Mampaka advocates for a reevaluation of building utilization in Brussels.
