We’ll be Brussels in 15 years’ time

Speaking on the VRT’s current affairs’ flagship Terzake Mr Bonte pointed to population growth in Brussels that means that the Belgian and Flemish capital is bursting at its seams: “People who no longer find room in Brussels, move to areas surrounding the capital, to Vilvoorde, but also to other municipalities.”

Many of these newcomers are non-Dutch-speaking immigrants. In January 67% of newcomers arriving in Vilvoorde belonged to this group. Mr Bonte says that these people are welcome, but that he would like to invite them to learn Dutch: “We no longer have the capacity to register all the people who want to do language courses.”

“The local authorities, the Province of Flemish Brabant and the Flemish Government all need to do more. We must integrate people who come from the other side of the world, but only 5% of newcomers belong in this group. We need the capacity to allow all 100% of newcomers to do language courses.”

“Francophones have lost much of their militancy, but a social gap is growing between those who know Dutch and those who don’t. Integrating people is also necessary in order to guarantee their opportunities.”

“If the Flemish authorities fail to pursue more ambitious policies that are tailored to the situation in the area around the Belgian capital that is becoming too small, well, then, in ten to fifteen years, we will have become Brussels.”

[Flandersnews.be / Expatica]