The Belgian Municipals (update)
Today municipal elections are being held in Belgium. They are interesting for two reasons. The first is that the xenophobic Vlaams Belang (VB) may obtain a plurality in Antwerp, and therefor enter into the government of Flanders, and perhaps even Belgium. Its not as bad as here, but it is bad.
The second reason is more uplifting. It is the first election in Belgium in which non-European residents are allowed to vote. It is a water-shed. If I were still living in the Commune d'Ixelles | Gemeente Elsene, today I could walk down the chaussée d'Ixelles to 168, walk inside, and vote.
As a citizen of a country other than Belgium, a non-EU country, simply as an enrolled resident. Because I pay taxes to the commune, and I depend upon the police, fire, and civil infrastructure of the commune.
We already have part A, the Vlaams Belang yammering on and on and on and on about Mexicans. We need part B.
Update: The Socialists managed to push the VB out of first place in Anterp. The VB blames this on ... the immigrant vote.