Belgian Party Demands More Public Swimming Spots Amid Heatwave

As Belgium braces for potentially the hottest week on record, the opposition party Groen is urgently calling for increased access to public swimming locations. The party argues that in the face of extreme heat, the ability to cool off in open water is not a luxury but a fundamental public health necessity that the government must provide.

Groen is specifically urging Flemish Minister of Waterways Annick De Ridder to take immediate action. Their demands include opening up existing swimming zones, which are often exclusive to sports clubs or require payment, to the general public. Additionally, Groen insists on the urgent designation of new, safe swimming areas within the region's canals and waterways.

Currently, swimming in open water in Flanders is restricted to officially recognized zones or areas permitted by local authorities. Swimming in navigable waterways is prohibited and punishable by law, as is wild swimming in most lakes and ponds unless explicitly allowed. Groen seeks to change this restrictive landscape.

The party looks to international examples for inspiration, citing Paris's opening of a section of the Seine for swimmers and the Netherlands' more permissive approach where swimming is generally allowed unless explicitly banned. Groen believes Flanders can adopt similar practices, emphasizing trust in citizens to follow safety rules.

Groen criticizes Minister De Ridder for what they perceive as an over-reliance on local governments to establish swimming spots. Party chairman Aimen Horch stated that if a local authority does not prioritize swimming areas or fears liability, nothing happens. He insists that the right to cool down should not depend on one's municipality. This call comes after a recent announcement of 10 new recognized open-water swimming zones, which Groen noted included only three truly new locations, with others merely receiving official recognition after prior local approval.

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We willen dat minister De Ridder met spoed zwemzones afbakent in Vlaamse kanalen en waterlopen, zodat mensen buiten kunnen afkoelen.