Political scientist Bart Maddens (KU Leuven) does not think it is recommended for Belgium to be transformed into a (con)federation with four federal states. In the joint committee on State Reform of the Chamber and Senate, he argued on Friday in favour of stronger cooperation between Brussels and Flanders.
A fortnight ago, the French-speaking professors of constitutional law, Marc Verdussen (UCLouvain) and Marc Uyttendaele (ULB), advocated a federalism with four entities – Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the German-speaking Community – that would replace the current two-tier model, built on the Regions and Communities.
Maddens pointed out that Belgium’s institutional structure is based on duality. “It is unclear how the division into four states would be extended to the federal level. Would the Chamber and Senate then be divided into four federated entities, instead of two language groups? Would a majority be required in each state group to pass special laws? Would a four-part parity be introduced for the federal government?”, he wondered.
More cooperation between Brussels and Flanders
A four-party state model is only a simplification if all community competences in Brussels are transferred to the Brussels Region. But most advocates of this model want to leave Flanders competent for at least education and culture in Brussels, and in Bart Maddens’ view that presupposes a new vehicle to make this possible.
Moreover, it is difficult to justify in democratic terms that the German-speaking Community, with barely 0.67% of the Belgian population, should be placed institutionally on the same level as Flanders and Wallonia.
Maddens argues in favour of strengthening the cooperation between Brussels and Flanders. For example, one or two Flemish ministers could be part of the Brussels government for the community competences, while the six Brussels elected members in the Flemish Parliament could be added to the Flemish Community Commission (VGC).
Has he seen the rhetoric of Flemish politicians and redditors on Brussels as a city?
Even Dutch speaking Brusseleirs might not want Flemish ministers in their own government. Brussels VLD voters vote for Gatz and Vanhengel because they represent Brussels interests first.
It seems nationalists are scared to lose their grip on Dutch speaking Brusseleirs.
Develops a doctrine and method that only fits his political views, “does not believe” when it doesn’t go his way….
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Political scientist Bart Maddens (KU Leuven) does not think it is recommended for Belgium to be transformed into a (con)federation with four federal states. In the joint committee on State Reform of the Chamber and Senate, he argued on Friday in favour of stronger cooperation between Brussels and Flanders.
A fortnight ago, the French-speaking professors of constitutional law, Marc Verdussen (UCLouvain) and Marc Uyttendaele (ULB), advocated a federalism with four entities – Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the German-speaking Community – that would replace the current two-tier model, built on the Regions and Communities.
Maddens pointed out that Belgium’s institutional structure is based on duality. “It is unclear how the division into four states would be extended to the federal level. Would the Chamber and Senate then be divided into four federated entities, instead of two language groups? Would a majority be required in each state group to pass special laws? Would a four-part parity be introduced for the federal government?”, he wondered.
More cooperation between Brussels and Flanders
A four-party state model is only a simplification if all community competences in Brussels are transferred to the Brussels Region. But most advocates of this model want to leave Flanders competent for at least education and culture in Brussels, and in Bart Maddens’ view that presupposes a new vehicle to make this possible.
Moreover, it is difficult to justify in democratic terms that the German-speaking Community, with barely 0.67% of the Belgian population, should be placed institutionally on the same level as Flanders and Wallonia.
Maddens argues in favour of strengthening the cooperation between Brussels and Flanders. For example, one or two Flemish ministers could be part of the Brussels government for the community competences, while the six Brussels elected members in the Flemish Parliament could be added to the Flemish Community Commission (VGC).
Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Maddens always pushes his own political agenda.
Has he seen the rhetoric of Flemish politicians and redditors on Brussels as a city?
Even Dutch speaking Brusseleirs might not want Flemish ministers in their own government. Brussels VLD voters vote for Gatz and Vanhengel because they represent Brussels interests first.
It seems nationalists are scared to lose their grip on Dutch speaking Brusseleirs.
Develops a doctrine and method that only fits his political views, “does not believe” when it doesn’t go his way….