On Friday 1 September, Wilmes presented the draft in his own name rather than the CSV’s, which will face the usual legislative hurdles, especially as it is by a member of the opposition party.

Wilmes wants to reverse the trend of small shops closing down in city centres and villages.

The main point is the fact that local councils will get the pre-emptive right to buy commercial property in a predetermined zone within the town.

The commercial property must be put on the market and the local authority must pay the official market price.

The idea behind it is that local councils can then choose what sort of shops can rent these commercial properties and give priority to those which enliven the neighbourhood and offer attractive goods and services.

The local council must cede the commercial property after three years, according to the draft law.