December 2021
Language preferences in the Brussels periphery
The Conseil d’Etat has finally ruled on the much-debated issue of registering language preferences in communes with facilities. In its ruling of September 22, 2021, it confirmed that communal administrations can safeguard residents’ choice of language for a period of four years.
The Kraainem-Unie / Pro Kraainem majority – which defends the interests of all Kraainem citizens – welcomes this decision. She hopes that this will ease community tensions in the long term and enable the municipal administration to concentrate fully on completing the many projects in the multi-year plan.
You can find more detailed information at https://www.rtbf.be/article/preferences-linguistiques-en-peripherie-bruxelloise-le-conseil-d-etat-donne-raison-aux-francophones-de-la-peripherie-10855123?id=10855123
May 2021
Language facilities and aspects
As you all know, the issue of language in communes with facilities is a complex one. The Conseil d’État and the Cour de Cassation have already addressed the language issue, yet differences between the various authorities persist in the interpretation of decisions, acts, court rulings, circulars, etc. We’ll spare you the details, but know that Kraainem-Unie, with its partner in the Pro Kraainem majority, has always defended and will continue to defend the rights of French speakers, just as it does for Dutch speakers. We believe that Kraainem’s multilingualism is an asset, and we insist that all documents sent out by the municipality should always be available in both Dutch and French.
As Kraainem is located in Flanders, the burgomaster reports directly to the Governor of Flemish Brabant and cannot ignore certain instructions from his superiors (just like the other burgomasters of municipalities with facilities). This hasn’t stopped Burgomaster Bertrand Waucquez and the other Burgomasters of the communes with facilities from defending the rights of French-speaking schools with regard to deviations from the success targets for children in French-speaking schools in communes with facilities, such as the Diabolo school.
Moreover, if the mayor intervened at a CPAS meeting on 27/11/2020 to remind the mandataries that they had to cast their vote in Dutch (on pain of a null vote), it was precisely to make the French-speaking vote count, and not, as the opposition claimed, to silence the French-speakers – quite the contrary. The former president of DéFI, O. Maingain, confirmed himself that this was the right approach on the part of our mayor.
Practical information:
Fluvius: you can call 03/747.91.91 to obtain your documents in French.
De Watergroep: you can call 02/238 96 99 and ask for an answer in French. The website is now also available in French:
https://www.dewatergroep.be/fr-be
Omgevingsloket: permit applications can be submitted in French via the link: https: //www.omgevingsloket.be/omvLoket/?taal=fr
In theory, an architect is required to submit an application in Dutch. This omgevingsloket in French is therefore only intended for residents applying for a permit for a project that does not require an architect.
Municipal documents: you can indicate your choice of language on the municipal website https://www.kraainem.be/fr/forme/267/choix-de-la-langue-francaise