2023-12-02 06:10:00
After weeks where the party was singled out, the Greens are now seeking to reverse the narrative by recalling that they have always been the first to warn of the dangers of pollution: bisphenol, endocrine disruptors… “Town water represents only 4% of our exposure to PFAS,” explains Rajae Maouane, co-president. “We are exposed in terms of clothing, packaging and many other things. Ecolo has always been at the forefront of trying to reduce exposure to pollution.”
The party has been working on proposals to remove VAT on fruit, vegetables and legumes. He also calls for work on food packaging “to prevent us from ending up with polluting substances in the blood”. On the issue of pesticides which are dispersed in the fields before ending up on our plate, “we are regularly in a standoff with David Clarinval (MR), Minister of Agriculture,” continues Rajae Maouane.
What conclusions can be drawn from the PFAS crisis?
“We were already alerted since Tellier had made the proposal to reduce the use of PFAS, or even to ban it. But it was complicated because, in part, of the MR. This crisis will have allowed certain parties to open their eyes to exposure to pollution. It is important that the different parties realize this, particularly the MR. For us, we have to go a little further. The real culprits are the industrialists who are protected by certain parties.”
Do you fear that the rise of conservative parties in Europe could lead to a decline in measures aimed at combating climate change?
”Absolutely, it’s a risk. And that’s why we work at different levels, from municipalities to Europe, to try to freeze the various positive developments into law as much as possible. We continue to fight at the level of the European Parliament, we continue to fight with civil society, that’s why we will also be at the climate march on December 3…”
There is a change that we have been seeing among climate activists for some time. Greta Thunberg and Anuna De Wever have taken up the cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, moving from ecological combat to geopolitics. Why are so many climate activists on the side of Palestine?
”The best way to find out is to ask them. I don’t have the impression that they are on the side of Palestine. For wars and climate, the mechanics of domination are the same. When we have states that colonize land and expel people, there is an analogy with the climate cause because we cannot colonize the land, use it and buy it. We have always said it, there is no climate justice without social justice.”
The co-president of Ecolo Rajae Maouane believes that authorizing the wearing of the veil in the administration is a social measure. ©cameriere ennio
What is the link between social justice and climate justice?
“If we do not work on the fight against inequalities and discrimination, we will not be able to have climate justice. The two go hand in hand. When we work on mobility, air quality, making canteens organic, etc., it is not just to please sore people, but because they are the most vulnerable or most precarious people. who benefit from it. ”
Does ecology necessarily have to be left-wing, in your opinion?
“Ecology is the heir to all left-wing struggles.”
Is right-wing ecology an oxymoron?
”Political ecology without class struggle is gardening. There is a correlation which indicates that the lower the socio-economic level, the higher the exposure to pollution and disruptors. We will not be able to improve climatic conditions if we do not fight against inequalities.”
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Has Ecolo decided to include the question of neutrality in its campaign themes? Does the decision taken in Anderlecht to authorize the wearing of the veil in the administration serve as a gateway to a slightly broader fight that you are ready to take to the national level?
“No. For Ecolo, the neutrality of the acts rendered is essential. In Anderlecht, there is no single rider as some people try to believe. There is no simultaneous filing of the same motion in the 19 municipalities. Two years ago, at the municipal council, there was a commitment to create a working group to reform the administration’s working regulations. In this group, there is Unia, representatives of the unions and around forty people from the administration. The tabling of this motion is only the transposition of the conclusions of the report they produced.”
Is the position held by the Ecolo Anderlecht group representative of the thinking taking place within Ecolo?
”Our goal is to fight against discrimination. We want to enable all people, regardless of their religious, denominational or other background, to find work. And particularly women, who are often the first to suffer. Can we measure a man’s beard to tell if he is Salafist? It is women who are targeted because they express a conviction. For us, what is important is not the neutrality of appearance because this does not exist, but that of actions.”
There are indications that are more striking than others…
”There is no such thing as neutrality of appearance. On the other hand, the neutrality of acts must be absolute. In Ghent and Mechelen, the wearing of religious symbols has been authorized for several years. Have we noticed a notable difference in the service provided? No. Why are the Flemish parties much more at the forefront on these issues? In French-speaking Belgium, presidents like Georges-Louis Bouchez (MR) and François De Smet (DéFI) are taking advantage of the harmful debate that is taking place in France to be able to bring about a debate on a secularism that does not exist in Belgium. Belgium is a neutral state, not secular. And we are extremely attached to this neutrality.”
Would there be a desire on the part of Ecolo to give more space to religious expression in public space?
“No. Ecolo is extremely committed to neutrality. But neutrality is not secularism. Neutrality is essential.”
Could you authorize a civil servant to work wearing a Vlaams Belang t-shirt?
“We said denominational signs, not political signs.”
Political signs will never be allowed?
“Never. On the other hand, whether a person wears a yarmulke, a scarf or a cross, it makes no difference.”
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