Belgian politicians have criticized the co-chair of Green celebration Ecolo, Rajae Maouane, for taking a taxi to speak about sustainability on car-free Sunday, the one Sunday of the 12 months during which vehicles are prohibited in Brussels.
“I’m not going to misinform you, I got here right here in a taxi,” she informed hosts Martin Buxant and Christophe Deborsu in the course of the TV interview after the pair requested her how she acquired to the studio on a day during which no personal automobiles are allowed in the city.
“From my house to right here, I had a 45-minute bike ride, which was a bit sophisticated, so I took a taxi,” she added. Taking a taxi is allowed in the course of the Belgian capital’s car-free day however critics referred to as her out for selecting a high-emission mode of transport.
During the interview, she supported reinvesting in public transport, altering the town’s parking setup, and decreasing the costs of bus and practice tickets. “If folks select vehicles, it is as a result of different public transport is not developed sufficient, so it is the duty of politics,” she stated. Ecolo helps inexperienced mobility by a 16-point plan to enhance the transport system.
Marc-Jean Ghyssels, a member of the Brussels-Capital parliament, mocked Maouane on X, previously Twitter, saying: “Taking the automotive on car-free day to speak about ecology! Because ’45 minutes by bike is a bit sophisticated.'”
A day later, Maouane posted a photo on X of herself on an electrical bike.
