2023-12-16 10:20:00
The look is mischievous behind the large rounded glasses. But beneath these prankish exteriors hides a political animal with a very tough shell. A pillar of the N-VA since its foundation, Ben Weyts has occupied a central place in Flemish politics for a decade. Born in Beersel, between Uccle and Braine-l’Alleud, Brabançon never left his stronghold, where he made the defense of Flemish identity the fight of a lifetime.
First a member of the Chamber, then regional Minister of Mobility between 2014 and 2019, the current Flemish Minister of Education grants La Dernier Heure one of his rare media outings in French-speaking Belgium.
Big change this year in French-speaking Belgium: the reform of the school calendar. What do you think ?
“It is the result of the choice of French-speaking democracy, and it was in their government agreement. But there is no solid scientific basis. We know that there is a loss of learning during the holidays. But it is not known whether the reduction of the two-week long holiday will have any effect on this. There are still scientific doubts. But I of course respect the choice of the French Community. That said, next year, we will have three different holiday rhythms (because the German-speaking community has chosen an option between the two for Easter). But hey, it’s not insurmountable. In Germany they have 16 systems. In the Netherlands, three. In France also. But it is Brussels that poses the problem, because it is a completely unique system where the same territory is home to different school systems.”
Linguistic dispute on the outskirts of Brussels: Minister Weyts refuses a plan for summer courses in French in Rhode-Saint-Genèse
A lot of criticism has been leveled at you. Some say: why doesn’t Ben Weyts follow the French speakers to harmonize the situation.
“Sorry, but it wasn’t me who broke the consensus. It’s not me who changed the system: it’s the French speakers, and I respect that. But you should not then throw stones at me by saying that I am not obedient according to what the French speakers decide. That’s pushing the envelope a bit… But instead of bickering, I asked that we find solutions in Brussels. For example, provide additional reception in Flemish schools for French speakers on vacation, and vice versa.”
When will Flanders change its calendars?
“This is currently not on the agenda.”
What is the big difference between Caroline Désir and you?
“We are each part of the largest party in our communities, which have different ambitions, needs and public opinions. For example, the debate on calendars does not live in Flanders. Caroline and I share the same concern for the quality of teaching and for the problem of the shortage of teachers. But this last problem arises even more in Flanders where the labor market is tighter, with little unemployment.”
Outcry in Flanders: Ben Weyts wants to punish parents of children who are uncomfortable in Dutch
Can we say that Désir embodies a progressive Minister of Education, and you a conservative Minister?
“Yes, I am conservative. In the sense of ‘Tene quod bene’, preserve what is good: focus on the essential, make choices, stop importing all societal problems to school… For some, school must also provide hot meals , learn to surf the internet, ride a bike, swim in the sea… Every week, I receive offers. As soon as there is a problem in society, who should solve it? Well, school. They say that the school must teach the child good manners, to be clean… No, it is above all the responsibility of the parents. Teachers must be able to focus on the essentials: giving lessons, teaching knowledge and skills. If lunch boxes are empty, who should act? Local social services. Everyone has their responsibilities, everyone has their task.”
It is forbidden to speak French in the playgrounds of schools in Flanders. For what ?
“It’s only regarding French. Many languages are spoken at students’ homes: French, Arabic, Turkish, Polish… We cannot say: everyone speaks their language at school. It would be cacophony, and that creates groups and segregation. Children and parents need structure, clarity. The more diversity of languages spoken at home, the more we should concentrate on Dutch at school.”
Punishing students who don’t speak Dutch will be the norm in Flemish schools: “Dutch is the language of the future”
A great symbol of your legislature is the “Canon of Flanders”. Namely a great educational work covering the events which made the history and identity of Flanders. Why a “Flemish canon” and not a “Belgian canon”?
“Because I am responsible for Flanders, so I take my responsibilities. I think we must look without scruple at our past, at the people and events that made the Flanders of today. The canon is written in a pleasant, accessible way… It also addresses the dark pages of history, such as colonialism.”
Should the Walloons do the same?
“The Walloons don’t ‘owe’ anything. But I think it might be helpful for confidence and pride. You shouldn’t constantly blame yourself. Yes, things are not going well. But we live in a beautiful society with a beautiful history, and it is important to know how to look back.”
Your dream in politics: mayor of Beersel, minister-president…?
“My dream ? Professional footballer in Anderlecht (laughs). Last year, this might still have been possible. But not anymore, because they have a great team.”
French-speaking politicians once called you Bin… Laden. What do you think of this nickname?
“Physically, it’s not very relevant (laughs). It’s a humorous nickname that came from my inflexibility during negotiations. I am also ready for next year’s negotiations. We plead for confederalism in Flanders… but Wallonia needs it just as much. Confederalism means everyone solves their own problems with their own solutions and their own money. Wie bepaalt betaalt. For 100 years, Wallonia has been managed by the socialists, who promise a social paradise… but we are far from it. If only in comparison with Flanders, which nevertheless has a conservative and right-wing majority. In Flanders, there is less unemployment, less poverty, less child poverty… Who is the most social then? With benefits not limited in time, it is normal for people to remain inactive. With confederalism, the Walloons will see that this is not tenable. This will perhaps lead to a Walloon awakening.”
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What is your relationship with Theo Francken, another party heavyweight in the same constituency as you?
“We are good friends! There is no rivalry.”
In 2023, is a coalition possible with Belang?
“Vlaams Belang is not my problem. They continually say that they want to govern, but at the same time, they are perpetually on the attack, in aggression in the most vulgar way possible, in mockery, on the border of racism, or sometimes downright in racism… They themselves make a coalition impossible. Tom Van Grieken constantly says he wants to make the party respectable. But I only see the opposite.”
Who is your favorite French-speaking politician?
“I have good relationships with Caroline Désir and Valérie Glatigny. But I also find that Paul Magnette is a very pleasant interlocutor.”
French-speaking and Flemish: who weighs more?
“The Flemish Rand is facing great migratory pressure”
You are Minister of Rand… why such a ministry in Flanders.
“Because there are specific problems that arise there. Take teaching for example. Everywhere in Flanders, there is a reduction in pupils in primary and nursery schools… except in Flemish Brabant, where there is a need for additional capacity and investment. Another aspect: the Flemish Rand is facing great migratory pressure. There is a lot of coming and going, to the detriment of the original inhabitants. A phenomenon that we also observe in certain places in Wallonia, such as Deux-Acren for example (in Hainaut). The situation is such that people born and attached to this region cannot afford to stay there. Living in your region of origin is a right. And this right is under pressure in the Brussels periphery, as well as in Deux-Acren or in Walloon Brabant. We have therefore, at the Flemish level, developed an instrument: a decree which allows municipalities to reserve plots of land for people with a link to the municipality. It is a social decree which allows people to stay living in their region, because the prices of land and housing are becoming unaffordable.”
In your opinion, are there too many French speakers in the Rand?
“I don’t blame the French speakers, I understand why they come! The Flemish Rand is the best place to live, and with friendly people. You know what the dream would be for Rand? Good governance in Brussels! This would reduce migratory pressure on the periphery. Because why do so many middle-class families in Brussels come to the Rand? Because they are looking for a better future for their children, better education, security… We don’t blame them, but it also drives out families from the Rand.”
Francophones in the Rand feel neglected and some would like to use French more in their everyday lives.
“In their private sphere, everyone can speak French without problem. But when you come to live in a town in the Rand, you have to adapt and learn Dutch. It’s just a matter of politeness. Let’s imagine that I go to live in Paris and say to the baker: ‘hallo, een stokbrood. Ha you don’t understand me, what a lack of respect.’ If you move, the borders are not going to adapt to you: you have to adapt to your environment.”
Will the municipalities of the Flemish Rand still be part of Flanders?
“But of course ! Nor are we asking that Deux-Acren be part of Flanders. Yet there are a lot of Flemings there.”
Your opinion on the system of language facilities in peripheral municipalities, such as Linkebeek or Wemmel?
“Language facilities should be removed. Everywhere. Even in Enghien, etc. The original idea was to make integration possible. But it was temporary.”
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