Minister annuls council decisions

23 October 2007

BRUSSELS – Flemish minister for domestic government Marino Keulen (Open VLD) plans to annul the decisions made my three municipal councils in the outskirts of Brussels on Monday evening. He will declare the decisions void because French was spoken during the council meetings, in violation of language legislation.

At an indication from FDF chairman Olivier Maingain, the municipal councils in Wezembeek-Oppem, Kraainem and Linkebeek, three Flemish municipalities in which facilities are provided for the French-speaking majority, voted on the use of French in the municipal council, the expansion of the Brussels region and the appointment of mayors in these municipalities.

On the basis of the report drawn up by observers from the governor of Vlaams-Brabant, Minister Keulen will annul the decisions. After all the French language was used during the meetings and mayors, aldermen and municipal council members are all required to use Dutch, Keulen pointed out.

The minister does not think that local officials should scoff at the law in this way.

“We are asking newcomers to learn Dutch and respect the law. It is unacceptable for municipal council members, who should set an example, to fail to do so,” Keulen said.

Subject: Belgian news