Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Flemish Brussels Minister Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) has made her first visit to a Brussels municipality as part of her ‘Tour of the 19 municipalities’. This marks a historic turn for Flemish ministers under the charge of Brussels because Minister Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) has introduced this approach.
Flemish Brussels Minister Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) has launched a ‘Tour of the 19 municipalities’ to strengthen ties between Flanders and Brussels local authorities. The initiative represents a historical milestone as a responsible Flemish Minister of Brussels has started this type of initiative.
The tour started in Watermael-Boitsfort under the leadership of city mayor David Leisterh (MR), who appears likely to become the new minister-president of the Brussels Region. This tour targets specific locations to discover service improvement opportunities for Dutch-language programs, given Flanders’ substantial investments in the region.
Our municipalities have their specific authority and responsibility towards their Dutch-speaking residents. As a Flemish minister, I want to see where I can support and strengthen Dutch-language services,
the minister says.
In any case, according to Van Achter, the visit proves that
cooperation and dialogue in the interest of Brussels residents is possible
at a local level.
Now it is up to the parties at the Brussels government level to follow this example,
he said.
What is the background of Flanders’ involvement in Brussels?
Watermael-Boitsfort stands among the smallest municipalities in the Brussels Capital Region, where more than 25,000 residents currently reside. The Dutch-speaking Flanders government allocates funding exceeding 1.3 billion euros annually to establish Dutch-language educational and cultural centres sports clubs, and care programs throughout Brussels.
The financial support from Flanders goes to tens of thousands of Brussels residents to show its backing of the Dutch-speaking community.
Brussel’s political growth has been shaped by ongoing disputes between Francophone and Flemish residents as they debate about administration structure and linguistic policies. Van Achter Tours works as an organisational platform for different local communities to build cooperation. The symbolic political action commenced in Watermael-Boitsfort through N-VA and MR when David Leister (MR) initiated it, and possibly their combined political forces would govern the future Brussels administration.
