Ronse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ronse is appealing a conviction over language rule violations but will still implement court-ordered bilingual measures. Mayor Ignace Michaux warns of €200,000 costs and €1,000 weekly fines if delayed.
As VRT News reported, the city of Ronse, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, is taking a court case to appeal after being found guilty of breaking language rules.
“There was no consensus, but ultimately we decided together to appeal,”
Says Michaux.
“That’s necessary to maintain our credibility.”
What steps will Ronse take as Michaux appeals the language ruling?
According to Mayor Ignace Michaux, the ruling makes it clear that Ronse must provide bilingual communication. The city website and the magazine Inzicht must be published in Dutch and French. Information boards and street signs also have to be updated in both languages.
Mayor Ignace Michaux said the changes will cost at least €200,000. The amount covers translations, updates to online platforms, and replacing signs across the city. If Ronse does not comply, the city will face a fine of €1,000 per week.
“If we do nothing, we risk a fine of 1,000 euros per week.”
Mayor Ignace Michaux
A separate court case is ongoing in Brussels against the Belgian state over the language facilities in Ronse. Officials mentioned that in the case of Oudenaarde, the judge asked the Constitutional Court for answers on several points. The court did not respond to all of them, leaving parts of the matter unresolved. The Brussels case may bring further direction on how the bilingual rules must be applied in municipalities with facilities.
“To avoid jeopardising that process, we’re appealing,”
Michaux explains.
“We’re going to submit further questions to the Constitutional Court, and we hope to get answers to all the questions this time.”
Mayor Ignace Michaux said he will meet with the citizens’ group Renaix Bilingue – Ronse Tweetalig, which supports bilingual rights in the city. He also called on both the Flemish and federal governments to take action.
“Today, N-VA, CD&V, and Vooruit hold the Flemish and Belgian majority, but they’re doing nothing about facilities that are completely outdated,”
Says Michaux.
“Brussels must take responsibility.”
Ronse has been a focal point in Belgium’s language dispute for decades. The city is located in East Flanders, but is one of the municipalities with special language facilities for French speakers. This system was created in 1963 when the country set fixed language borders.
The arrangement gives residents the right to request official services and documents in French, even though Dutch remains the main language of administration. Disagreements over the extent of these rights have often been taken to court. In 2007, the Council of State issued a ruling on the limits of the facilities, and in 2011, the Constitutional Court confirmed parts of that decision.
On June 24, the civil court in Oudenaarde ruled that the city did not follow the language rights of French-speaking residents. Ronse had time until September 15, 2025, to decide on an appeal. After advice from the city lawyer and talks within the municipal executive board, the decision was made to challenge the ruling.
