Blank vote movement of the White Party in Belgium

The party’s website, which chose the name “Blanco” to represent blank ballots, provided some statistics from previous federal elections, stating that approximately 6 percent of ballots cast were blank or invalid.

Recalling that these votes were not taken into account when determining the number of seats in the federal parliament, it was requested that a new practice be introduced in their place and that “empty seats” be created in the assemblies equal to the rate of vacant votes or invalids. .

Arguing that people casting blank ballots are not democratically represented, the White Party said that 6 percent of the vote amounted to about 30 seats in parliament, the annual cost of 30 MPs was about 3.5 million euros and the political groups in parliament every year more than 65 thousand euros additional to the treasury. He said he got help.

Therefore, the party made some offers. Consequently, it will be necessary to grant the “right to vote for an empty seat” so that voters who cast their blank ballots can be represented.

This would require amendments to the Belgian Constitution. For the constitutional reform, the White Party will nominate candidates in the elections to be held in 2024. These candidates will go to parliament if they are elected, but they will only have two duties.

These duties include attending parliamentary sessions but not voting in any way and not speaking or expressing opinions in parliamentary sessions, as well as preparing proposals for constitutional amendments.

Potential White Party deputies will only comment for this purpose. The White Party will dissolve if the goal is achieved and the constitutional amendment they want is voted in parliament. (AA)