Focus on the DUTCH SPEAKING PART of BELGIUM Press Review Weekly, Does Not Appear in July • Number 16 • 26 April – 2 May 2003

flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF BELGIUM press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 16 • 26 April – 2 May 2003

INTRODUCTION fla r la ndr Brussels’defence summit su e • s f u o wo-and-a-half weeks be- c c o u f s fore the elections on 18

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r May the campaigns are

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De Financieel-Economische Tijd, d he meeting of France’s President to n

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l gradually getting up to cruis-

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Chirac, Germany’s Chancellor the initiative is lacking a healthy dose f o s k T u ing speed. The last few Schröder and Luxembourg’s Premier of realism (30 April) and De Standaard weeks are of vital impor- Juncker with the Belgian Premier Ver- deplores the fact that the initiative-tak- tance in convincing floating voters. They can hofstadt in the Egmontpaleis in Brus- ers did not opt for a broader support be- decide whether a party wins or loses, claims sels produced a number of concrete forehand involving more EU Member the Gazet van Antwerpen (28 April). That is a plans to give a new impetus to Euro- States (FF). dogma in which many politicians also believe. pean defence. But according to De Stan- The elections are won or lost in the campaign. daard (30 April), the summit’s final text Opinion Even parties that can boast a successful policy as yet makes no mention of a headquar- can lose the elections. As a rule the party that ters (in Tervuren). There is reference to BART STURTEWAGEN • DE STANDAARD • manages to press home its theme as the elec- a European rapid intervention force, 30 APRIL tion theme can build up an unassailable lead. In the current poor economic climate the major and the acceptance by the European political families (Liberals, Social Democrats Convention of a European Union of Se- The very fact that the summit took and Christian Democrats) are assuming that curity and Defence. According to Ver- place less than three weeks before the the voter will choose certainty and henceforth hofstadt, the first results of a common elections, was certainly for Belgian do- the party that manages to come up with the defence policy will be visible by 2005. mestic purposes a success in itself. True, most convincing answer to the economic crisis. The initiative is explicitly not being the most inspired ideas that the Belgian VLD Leader and Premier Guy Verhofstadt be- presented as a competitor to military Government had pushed to the fore for lieves that cutting corporation tax and person- consultation within NATO, but as a approval were weeded out by the al income tax is the best way of giving a boost second European pillar within NATO. French and Germans, but there was a to the economy. The Christian Democrats of However, the more Atlantic-minded press conference, there was a photo op- the CD&V also explicitly took the socio-eco- European Member States and NATO portunity and there was a text, albeit nomic line at their election meeting in Ghent. are reacting with suspicion. According with all cutting remarks removed. There, Chairman De Clerck called for a cut in The biggest risk was that the initiative wage costs and for a basic employment pact between employers and workers. The second would emphasise the division of Europe CONTENTS priority for the CD&V is reducing government into two camps, whereas now the war debt. The Social Democrats of the SP.A are also Politics in Iraq is over it should be a time for in favour of cutting taxes, but for them this has Antwerp’s bench of aldermen patching up differences. By rejecting a to be linked to results in the field of employ- starts with outgoing mayor 2 real military headquarters – Verhofs- ment. Just before Labour Day on 1 May Chair- Opinion polls/electoral market 7 tadt had suggested Tervuren as a loca- man Stevaert put himself forward as a fierce tion – that danger has largely been defender of the early retirement system, which Justice averted. The four national and govern- has been criticized severely recently. Stevaert Agreement with prison wards 3 ment leaders did their best to stress also wants to do away with unfair lump-sum The failed prison policy 3 what their initiative was not. It is not taxes and has a plan to collect taxes more effi- intended as an act of distrust towards ciently. But if the socio-economic theme actu- Agriculture America and its allies. ally has to take centre stage, the nuisances of Drastic measures against fowl pest 4 The four now have to go out to remove the current political scene have to be neu- tralised as much as possible. This explains not it and make European converts to their only why draconian measures were taken Labour policy and Economy plans. That shows how unfortunate it is against fowl pest, but also why a solution was Moonlighting blossoms 5 that efforts were not made from the out- feverishly sought to the prison ward strikes and Tropicana creates 300 jobs 5 set to widen support. After all, greater why in Antwerp the new bench of Aldermen is Asset bankers join forces 6 effort is required to introduce a com- being installed without the new candidate Discounts in car sales 6 mon European defence policy. Without mayor Patrick Janssens. Because as long as the Belgium goes to EU-court to retain that Europe can only look on powerless nuisances are to the fore, one party stands to coordination centers 6 as its Member States draw up in disor- gain certainly, namely the Vlaams Blok, which dered battle array during international is proud of the fact that it does not even need Culture crises, after which the moaning about to campaign to win elections. 8th edition of Kunstenfestival- the lack of efficiency can begin again. Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief desarts 7 focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 2 POLITICS

LOCAL POLICY GUY FRANSEN • DE STANDAARD • Antwerp’s bench of aldermen 30 APRIL After a day of negotiations the negotia- begins with outgoing mayor tors of the SP.A, VLD, Agalev and CD&V asked Leona Detiège on Tues- Vlaams Blok boss Philip Dewinter apparently is using every trick day evening if she was still prepared to in the book to delay Janssens appointment start the new team. She said yes. The bench will convene a new City Council on 9 May, where alongside the oath- he original plan was that at the Opinion taking of the aldermen – with newcom- T meeting of the City Council on ers Ludo Van Campenhout (VLD) and Monday 28 April Patrick Janssens, for- KARL VAN DEN BROECK • DE MORGEN • Robert Voorhamme (SP.A) – the amend- mer Chairman of the SP.A, would take 28 APRIL ed administrative agreement will be the oath as mayor, and with him two submitted. new aldermen, Robert Voorhamme Three weeks before the elections That addendum is to be implemented (SP.A) and Ludo Van Campenhout Antwerp still does not have a mayor, immediately. This means the swift in- (VLD) would be appointed. However, despite the whole country thinking his stallation of an integrity bureau, the the oath was never taken. The Vlaams appointment was a formality. Accord- crisis managers Eddy Bruyninckx and Blok lodged a complaint against Patrick ing to Janssens himself, that is the fault Pieter Crombecq, and an investigation Janssens because his name appears in of Vlaams Blok boss, Philip Dewinter. of municipal management. All politi- four files being investigated for fraud, He apparently is using every trick in the cians and civil servants are also waiting among other things as chairman of the book to delay Janssens’ appointment. to sign a code of professional ethics. non-profit organisation Technopolis According to Professor Dujardin, lec- To take the wind out of the Vlaams and vice-chairman of the intermunici- turer in administrative law at VU Brus- Blok’s sails the majority also decided on pal company Cipal. The consequence of sels, the delaying manoeuvres should Tuesday to re-submit Patrick Janssens’ this is that the appointment may be de- not detract from the fact that the ap- act of nomination. Filip Dewinter said layed for weeks. This is because before pointment of the mayor is a political he would contest the new mayor’s cur- Flemish Internal Affairs Minister Paul decision. Flemish Minister Van Grem- rent nomination in the Council of Van Grembergen (Spirit) can appoint bergen (Spirit) is the only one autho- State, because a city council cannot Janssens he must first seek the advice rised to do this. As an alliance partner nominate a new candidate if the cur- of Provincial Governor Camille Paulus. of Janssens the Spirit Minister would rent mayor has not stepped down. And before this advice is forthcoming, undoubtedly be accused of being ‘bi- Detiège will only formally tender her Paulus first wants greater clarity on ased’ if he were to appoint Janssens resignation if signals are received from Janssens’ possible involvement in these without unanimously positive advice the court that the investigation against affairs. He has therefore asked for fur- from the Justice Department. But if Pro- Patrick Janssens is complete, and his ther clarifications from Antwerp Procu- fessor Dujardin is right, the sword of candidature can count on a positive rec- rator-General Christine Deckers. By Damocles still hangs over Janssens’ ommendation. Until then Janssens will constantly lodging new complaints head. Because he was pushed to the fore remain a council member. against Janssens the far-right party is before Leona Detiège had actually sub- In the City Council on Monday evening forcing the Procurator to repeatedly mitted her resignation, other parties Agalev and the CD&V had pressed for a postpone the advice she must give Gov- could attack his appointment in the quick new start to the college. Accord- ernor Paulus. Moreover, the party also Council of State. After all, they did not ing to Agalev Alderman Erwin Pairon, intends contesting the nomination of have the chance to put forward their the team now realises that that is a good Patrick Janssens as mayor in the Coun- own candidate. In short: Antwerp is thing. ‘We first had to discuss the prin- cil of State. Until further notice, there- caught up in an inextricable legal tan- ciple together with the new mayor. But fore, Mayor Leona Detiège is not step- gle. Both the population and the City if we hear that it could take months, ping down. But until Detiège steps Council are being held hostage. If Van there is no point waiting. On Tuesday down as Mayor, there can according to Grembergen waits until the court has evening the coalition partners express- the Blok be no new nominations for the dealt with all the complaints against ly thanked Leona Detiège for her ges- post of mayor. The Blok therefore ap- Janssens, this administrative immobil- ture. ‘She is doing it for the good ad- peared to again be forcing the running ity will continue. If he appoints ministration of the city, and deserves of the port city into a crisis. But on Janssens anyway, if necessary without every respect,’ says Pairon. 29 April the coalition partners decided waiting for the court’s advice, Janssens’ to install the new bench of aldermen appointment threatens to be thwarted without Patrick Janssens. From next by an administrative complaint. That week, outgoing Mayor Leona Detiège would render Janssens’ team partially (SP.A) will head the new team. Accord- powerless. The only person to profit ing to the coalition partners there is no from all this is Philip Dewinter. sense in waiting, as it is impossible to guess how long Janssens’ appointment will remain blocked (FF).

focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 JUSTICE 3

PRISON WARDS STRIKE PRISONS POLICY Minister Verwilghen concludes prelimi- The failed prisons policy nary agreement with of minister Verwilghen prison wards The number of prisoners rose as never before, despite Verwilghen’s well-intended ‘front-door policy’ to limit the influx into prisons FF EDITOR

On 29 April, Justice Minister Marc Ver- n Monday 28 April Marc Ver- ordinary criminal judges have also be- wilghen (VLD) concluded a preliminary O wilghen, who during the prison of- come much stricter. Pressure from pub- agreement with the unions of the ficers’ strike was heavily criticised by lic opinion and sharp rises in solitary prison wards of the Saint-Gilles and the opposition parties (Vlaams Blok, confinements by Parliament have Forest prisons. In Sint-Gillis prison NV-A and CD&V), once again went much to do with this. In the moral sec- there will be a further 18 wards, and in through all the interventions during his tor in particular, punishments have in- Vorst 15. From now on the maximum policy at a press conference: an addi- creased in severity since 1995. Ver- number of prisoners in Sint-Gillis will tional 1,326 places were created in pris- wilghen also created an extra-strict be 620, and in Vorst 600. In addition, ons, the budget rose by 31%, the num- regime for sex-offenders, and was quick the Justice Department is releasing ber of prison wards rose from 5,000 to to repeal judicial decisions, sometimes 11,000 euros to repair the monitoring 6,000. In addition, work punishment dubiously. and alarm systems in Vorst. was introduced and mercy requests Verwilghen wanted to limit the influx On 30 April the trade unions in Vorst were no longer granted. Nevertheless, of prisoners into prisons and impose a submitted the preliminary agreement the number of prisoners rose as never prisoner quota on each prison, so that to a general meeting and agreed to fin- before whilst he was minister, despite examining magistrates would be forced ish the strike. Verwilghen’s well-intended ‘front-door to reconsider their confinement policy, The day before, on Monday 28 April, policy’ to limit the influx into prisons. but his bill was not ratified. He did, the negotiations between Minister Ver- Gazet van Antwerpen is investigating however, manage to get community wilghen and the prison officers’ unions how this is and why Verwilghen’s poli- service limited to 300 hours as an alter- had broken down. They were not satis- cy failed on that point (FF). native. But community service is not fied with the measures approved by the imposed often enough. Also, it is not an Council of Ministers at the instigation JOHN DE WIT • GAZET VAN ANTWERPEN • alternative to confinement but to free- of Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen. 28 APRIL dom and is only imposed for minor of- The Council decided to increase the fences. number of places for electronic moni- The number of imprisonments on re- There has been no discussion of prisons toring by 50% to 450 and take on 141 mand rose enormously over the past policy. Since April 1995 people have extra members of staff and have a num- ten years. Since 1990 their number rose been saying that Parliament must hold ber of eastern Europeans tried in their by 53%, as did the average period of a debate on crime and punishment. own country. confinement, from 1 month 28 days to Should the punishment first and fore- Earlier in the day on 29 April there was 3 months 1 day. The existing alterna- most be useful, prevent recurrence and an attempted insurrection in Sint- tive punishments are only used as an al- make society safer, or is revenge more Gillis prison. Around twenty detainees terative to freedom, not to confine- important? Where are the priorities refused to return to their cells after ment. Under pressure from public when sentencing? The debate never their exercise. They got onto the roof of opinion, examining magistrates still took place and Verwilghen did not sub- the prison to protest against abuse in see imprisonment on remand as a pun- mit a working paper. He did, however, the institution. Other prisoners threw ishment, claimed Hilde Tubex, re- submit a working paper on the rights of burning materials out of their cells. The searcher at the Free University of Brus- detainees (the Dupont report), but the attempted insurrection was suppressed sels. The Parliament and Verwilghen discussion was postponed until the quite quickly. did nothing about the abuse of this tem- next legislature. Parliament is not in- porary imprisonment. Nevertheless, if terested in this problem. In theory imprisonment on remand lasted as long Verwilghen had a brave policy that now as it did in 1980, as many as 800 would limit the prison population, but cells would become free every day. The in practice it came to nothing. Howev- introduction of a maximum period of er, the responsibility for this debacle 12 months would be enough to achieve lies with all government parties. this target. But political reforms are slowing down the search for substanti- ating material. The number of long-term prisoners in prisons is also on the rise. Between 1980 and 1997 there was a six-fold increase in the number of convictions with a sentence of 5 to 10 years and a four-fold increase in the number of life imprisonments. Obviously crimes have become more violent since 1980, but

focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 4 AGRICULTURE

FOWL PEST The country is divided into four types of area. Belgium to the southwest of the Drastic measures against Scheldt and the Albert Canal is the least strictly regulated area. But poultry spreading fowl pest and hatching eggs are not allowed to travel there. The animals can, however, The Federal Council of Ministers also decided to increase the be taken for slaughter. Eggs for con- compensation for affected chicken farmers from 70 to 90% of sumption may also be transported. the market value of the destroyed animals The buffer zone is the second type of area. This is governed by stricter rules, such as ban on entering poultry farms. n 25 April the Federal Govern- RENAAT SCHROTEN • DE FINANCIEEL- The transport of eggs for consumption O ment wheeled out the big guns in ECONOMISCHE TIJD• 26 APRIL is much more strictly regulated, and di- the fight against fowl pest, after a day dactylous animals such as pigs and earlier two new sources were con- Three parties are involved in financing horses may not be transported from firmed, one in Bree in Limburg and one the costs associated with the fowl pest: farms that also keep poultry. Milk can in Meer in Antwerp. It delineated a su- the European Commission, the Belgian also be collected according to strict per-buffer zone to the east of the Lower government and the poultry sector. The rules, and dogs and cats on poultry Scheldt and the Albert Canal. The Fed- European Commission is paying half farms must remain indoors. eral Agency for Food Safety (Federaal the total bill, both for the clear-up and Within the buffer zone there are two su- Agentschap voor de Voedselveiligheid) to compensate the affected poultry pervision zones, which form the third hopes this will prevent the feared dis- farmers for the market value of the de- type of area. They are located in a 10- ease from also contaminating the large stroyed animals. Following the inter- kilometre radius around the two numbers of poultry farms in East and vention of Europe, Minister Tavernier sources of contamination in Antwerp West Flanders. Milk and animal feed is proposing splitting the remaining bill and the five sources in Limburg. In the may no longer be transported across into a clear-up part for the government Limburg supervision zone, all animals this water border, and even chicken and a part for paying compensation on poultry farms are being destroyed. In farmers can no longer cross. However, through the poultry sector fund. Antwerp this is currently being done in the pest not only spreads through con- By extending the buffer zones in Lim- a radius of three kilometres. But the tacts, but also on the wind or via wild burg and Antwerp to the Scheldt and Managing Director of the Food Agency, birds, says Minister for Public Health the Albert Canal, the Food Agency Piet Vanthemsche, is not precluding Jef Tavernier (Agalev), which does not wants to keep the chance of the major the possibility of also destroying ani- look optimistic to him. Meanwhile, in centres of poultry rearing in West and mals in the whole supervision zone in the areas under supervision around the East Flanders also being affected to a Antwerp. The strictest rules apply in contaminated farms the clear-up con- minimum. The extension to these two the fourth type of area, which is in the tinues unabated. The Federal Council major waterways has created a single zone of one kilometre around the cont- of Ministers also decided to increase large buffer zone, which for administra- aminated farms. There all poultry, the compensation for affected chicken tive purposes is divided into Limburg, therefore also that kept by private indi- farmers from 70 to 90% of the market Antwerp-east and Antwerp-west zones. viduals, is being destroyed. value of the destroyed animals. The In this zone the Agency wants to pre- cost of the crisis is now put at between vent the outbreak of new sources of WWW.FAVV.BE 10 and 20 million euros (FF). contamination with strict measures.

THE NETHERLANDS

Meer

Area under Schelde supervision Buffer zone Mid Antwerp West Antwep Buffer zone West Hamont Antwerp

BRUGES Westmalle Kinrooi Area under ANTWERP Buffer zone supervision East Antwerp Limburg

Buffer zone Meeuwen GHENT ANTWERP Albertchanel Limburg WEST FLANDERS EAST LIMBURG FLANDERS FLEMISH BRABANT HASSELT

SOURCE: FAVV - TIJD GRAPHICS

focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 LABOUR POLICY 5

BLACK ECONOMY to the employer. The Federal and re- gional authorities are contributing Moonlighting blossoms 17.36 euros, giving the cheque a value of 23.56 euros. Flemish Agriculture At least 6% of wages are still paid illicitly Minister Vera Dua wants to launch a green cheque under the same regula- tion for help in horticulture. The gov- billion euros: that is the ther reduced.’ Vandenbroucke high- ernment is also entering into covenants 1.7 amount lost in social-security lights four points for consideration: with the various commercial sectors. contributions each year through moon- firstly, the government should strive to Among others, the building sector has lighting. At least 6% of wages are still simplify the complicated legislation already entered into such a covenant paid illicitly, and so no social-security that creates uncertainty. In addition, with the government. contributions are paid on these wages. better information is required on the WWW.HIVA.BE This is evident from calculations by the duty to pay contributions, along with a Higher Institute of Labour Studies more targeted approach to actual fraud EMPLOYMENT (Hoger Instituut voor de Arbeid, HIVA) through better co-operation by the in- of the Catholic University of Leuven. spection teams, and a genuine policy of Tropicana creates The study carried out by Prof. Jozef Pa- prosecution must also be introduced. 300 jobs in Zeebrugge colet and An Marchal, which was pre- According to him, this is not a priority sented at an international colloquium for the courts. According to Unizo, the on moonlighting in Leuven, only charts association of independent employers, fter all the bad tidings on the job fraud in salaried work was based on the employers currently sometimes pay il- Amarket of late, there is finally fraud and so-called ‘mistakes’ discov- licit wages ‘at the request of their own some good news. A new packing plant ered by the 1200 social inspectors. Self- employees’. Unizo is calling for a round at fruit-juice producer Tropicana in employed work, work carried out in table on moonlighting with social part- Zeebrugge, a subsidiary of Pepsi Cola, is households and the purely illegal econ- ners and the authorities concerned. On hopefully to create 300 new jobs (FF). omy are not included. International top of this, the ‘dishonest use of unem- studies show that overall, the black ployment benefits and other social ben- DE STANDAARD • 29 APRIL economy accounts for as much as 22% efits must also be examined closely. of the entire Belgian economy. The var- Thus it was that last weekend the The American fruit-juice producer ious pressure groups each have their Antwerp Centre for Social Policy (Cen- Tropicana yesterday opened a new own answer to the problem (FF). trum voor Sociaal Beleid) announced packing plant in Zeebrugge’s inner port. that for the long-term unemployed and The plant will initially provide one JAN SCHEIDTWEILER • DE MORGEN • cohabiting women, unemployment hundred new jobs. The Tropicana fruit 29 APRIL benefits was sometimes seen more as a juice packed in Zeebrugge will be dis- welfare benefit than as an incentive to tributed across northern Europe. Zee- In the last period of government, moon- look for work. brugge was chosen because of the loca- lighting was on the table of at least tion of the port in relation to the sales three ministers and one government JOHAN VAN GEYTE • GAZET VAN area and Tropicana’s other sites. The commissioner. Finance Minister Reyn- ANTWERPEN • 29 APRIL fruit-juice producer has a site in Bor- ders (MR), Employment Minister gloon, amongst other places. That is Onkelinx (PS), Social Affairs Minister The government is trying to tackle where Looza fruit juice is packed. In Vandenbroucke (SP.A) and Govern- moonlighting via all manner of France there is a packing plant near ment Commissioner for Combating cheques. Thus, on 1 May a system of Paris. The new site has a capacity of 100 Fraud Alain Zenner had to try and stem service cheques is being introduced. In million litres. In an initial stage, three the illegal job circuit. Flanders these may only be used to pay production lines have been installed. Onkelinx and Zenner took part in con- for domestic help. The cost to the user The same building has the capacity for sultative forums in which they exam- of one cheque is 6.20 euros. Each fami- two further lines to be added. In time, ined how moonlighting in the hotel and ly can order up to 500 service cheques the site should provide three hundred catering industry and the building each year. For each hour worked the jobs. trade, two sectors with an abundant un- family must hand over a service cheque derground economy, could be curbed. Onkelinx decided that from the middle of last year the Labour Inspectorate EVOLUTION OF FLEMISH UNEMPLOYMENT (NUMBER OF JOB SEEKERS)

would introduce 500 extra control days. 230000 April 1999: 185,705 For some specific sectors, such as secu- April 2000: 165,719 221000 April 2001: 153,745 rity services or cleaning, the Federal 212000 1999 April 2002: 169,292 April 2003: 189,733 Government then tried to reach a better 203000 settlement via joint ventures. Minister 194000 2003 Vandenbroucke said that he wanted to 185000 2002 adopt a tougher approach to moonlight- 176000 2000 ing if he got the opportunity in the next 167000 government. ‘If we succeed in collect- 158000 2001 ing contributions correctly, the burden 149000 of social-security contributions of 140000 those who pay correctly can also be fur- jan. feb. mrch apr. may june july aug. sept. oct. nov. dec.

SOURCE: TIJD-GRAPHICS focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 6 ECONOMY

FNANCE Belgium goes to Asset bankers Degroof EU court to retain and De Buck join forces co-ordination centres

With De Buck Vermogensbankiers yet another asset manager will disap- FF EDITORIAL TEAM pear, after, among others, De Maertelaere and Dewaay On 17 February the European Commis- sion decided that the system of tax ben- ank Degroof is taking over De Buck Ghent, Bruges, Hasselt, Hoei, Leuven efits for the many international co-ordi- B Vermogensbankiers from Ghent. and Roeselare. ‘By taking over De Buck nation centres in the Brussels area adds The take-over will be via a share swap, we are expanding our managed assets up to prohibited public aid. Co-ordina- with the De Buck Van Overstraeten and developing our network in Flan- tion centres provide financial services family swapping its 67.5% participa- ders,’ says Lionel Giot, Director of Bank for multinational companies. From tion for Degroof shares. De Buck man- Degroof. Jean-Marie de Buck points to that day on, Belgium was no longer per- ages 500 million euros’ worth of client the capital losses of recent years and the mitted to grant any new licences, not funds, but last year suffered a loss of 0.5 need for sufficient size. ‘Degroof cer- even if an old licence expired, which billion euros. Degroof manages 10 bil- tainly has the latter, but there’s more,’ meant the co-ordination centre ceased lion euros, of which 8 billion belongs to says De Buck. ‘For us, this operation is to exist. According to Finance Minister private clients. The net profit for the part of an ‘industrial’ project with De- Reynders, that decision is in violation previous financial year was 11 million groof. We are developing a Personal of an EU agreement on corporation tax, euros. With De Buck Vermogens- Banking division at Degroof. This in- under which all co-ordination centres bankiers yet another asset manager will volves asset management for a some- may continue to function until 2005. disappear, after, among others, De what wider public. Together with Bon- On 25 April he therefore instituted pro- Maertelaere and Dewaay (FF). newijn Renwart and the Degroof’s ceedings before the European Court of existing activities in this area, you have Justice to have the EC’s decision re- TOM PEETERS • DE FINANCIEEL- a solid foundation for Personal Bank- pealed. In summary proceedings Bel- ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 30 APRIL ing.’ It would involve managed assets of gium is asking for the application of the around 2 billion euros. The name De decision to be suspended whilst the ‘We are giving up our independence to Buck will disappear. The De Buck van Court hears the case. Reynders also consolidate a major independent player Overstraeten family will become a mi- wants to raise the issue of the co-ordi- on the Belgian market,’ said Managing nority shareholder in Degroof with less nation centres at the meeting of EU fi- Director Jean-Marie de Buck van Over- than 15% and will get a seat on the nance ministers in May, but according straeten on Tuesday. He is part of the board of Bank Degroof. In addition to to De Financieel-Economische Tijd (29 eighth generation of the family that es- the family, around 200 private share- April), Reynders will only get a hearing tablished the asset bank in 1784. The holders held 32.5% of De Buck. if the EU countries can agree on a tax on take-over is part of Bank Degroof’s con- foreign savings. tinued efforts to expand. The bank has WWW.DEGROOF.BE already taken over the asset manager WWW.DEBUCK.BE Bearbull and the stock exchange companies Van Goethem, Bonnewijn Ren- wart and Riga. De Buck has offices in

CAR SALES Citroën are offering a discount equiva- lent to the rate of VAT, i.e. 21%. Even a Never-before-seen prestigious name such as BMW is giving discounts of up to 3,400 euros. FEBI- discounts in car sales AC has a piece of advice: buy a car now. ‘Because this price war cannot last. Im- porters and dealers will not be able to o turn round their falling sales, car ‘The sector saw an unusually sharp keep it up. Profit margins are so small T manufacturers are engaged in a drop in sales: -12% in the first three that they are hardly making any mon- price war with benefits that have never months of 2003,’ says Joost Kaesemans ey.’ been offered before. Discounts of up to of FEBIAC. ‘This is mainly due to the 21% and more are no longer unusual, slack economy. People are putting off WWW.FEBIAC.BE and Opel is even launching the coun- costly car purchases, and in the car sec- try’s first interest-free car loan. FEBI- tor that sort of thing is quickly felt.’ Po- AC, the Belgian Federation of the Car tential buyers are therefore being and Two-wheeler Industries, says that snowed under with offers. Opel is importers and dealers cannot keep this launching 0% finance: buy a car on up for long (FF) credit and don’t pay anything extra. The system is already a great success in the PASCALL WEISS • HET NIEUWSBLAD • USA and it is hoped it will now attract 30 APRIL extra buyers here. Competitors such as

focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 POLITICS AND CULTURE 7

ELECTIONS TIJD ELECTORAL MARKET 2003: PREDICTIONS ON 2 MAY VLD still biggest party in Le Soir 22,60 22,20 in % 21,90 21,49 Opinion Poll Average on 19,20 2 May at 9 p.m. 17,84 According to the latest opinion poll by Elections 1999 15,30 the French newspaper Le Soir, the VLD is 15,00 np: Did not participate still the biggest party in Flanders. The VLD gets 22.1%, followed by the CD&V 11,00 with 21.4%. The SP.A-Spirit cartel re- mains the third-biggest party, with 8,56 20.5%. In this poll the Vlaams Blok gets 6,01 17.2% and Agalev 9.5%. Here too, the N- VA fails to reach the electoral threshold of 5%, with 4.1%. The poll is based on tele- np phone surveys between 15 and 19 April VLD CD&V Vl.Blok sp.a-spirit Agalev N-VA involving 2,353 people across the whole of Belgium. Compared with the poll by

VRT/De Standaard (see FF 15), which was SOURCE: TIJD-GRAPHICS carried out in March, the number of un- decided voters in Flanders seems to have fallen significantly. Only 18% have not yet decided whom to vote for. WWW.LESOIR.BE

FESTIVAL Argentina and the current artistic scene in Buenos Aires are prominent at the 8th edition of Kunsten- Kunstenfestival des Arts. The strength with which artists continue to work festivaldesarts in Brussels without any public aid and their experi- ences and criticisms of social situations Just as in previous editions, Artistic Director Frie Leysen initially chose create an insistent dynamic and have artists with a vision and a good dose of nerve, rather than on the basis of for several years captivated Artistic Di- reputation or spectacle value rector Frie Leysen. Since 1998 Argen- tinean artists have repeatedly been in- rom 2 to 24 May the eighth Kun- is the place to go to see the installation vited to Brussels. This year, with F stenFESTIVALdesArts is being held of the Mexican visual artist Gustavo Maquina Hamlet, the Festival is for the in Brussels. Thirty projects, twenty of Artigas. And those who fancy an alter- first time presenting work by El which are world premières, and artists native and above all artistic tour of the Pereferico de Objetos and actively lent from thirteen countries, will again offer capital can sign up for ‘Taxithéâtre’ its support to the première of ZOOedi- a particularly fascinating overview of from Théâtre 27 by the German artist pus by this company from Buenes the international arts scene. Just as in Anne Marina Pleis. On Saturday there Aires. As well as Objetos, there is also previous editions, Artistic Director Frie will then be several new premières, in- work by Beatriz Catani and Federico Leysen initially chose self-willed cluding striking dance productions. Léon, and recent South American films artists with a vision and a good dose of The Kaaitheater is showing ‘Sonic are being shown in the Filmmuseum nerve, rather than on the basis of repu- Boom’, the latest effort from Wim Van- between 16 and 24 May. Finally, on 17 tation or spectacle value. The most dekeybus and his Ultima Vez, a co-pro- and 18 May De Bottelarij is being con- striking this year are two major the- duction with Toneelgroep Amsterdam. verted into a Salon Argentino. A promi- matic lines in the programme. Three Until 7 May Les Bains is presenting ‘De nent guest later in the first week of the presentations, a salon and a film pro- retour aux bains - 100 rencontres à festival is the German Director gramme will concentrate on the liter- Bruxelles’, a choreographical installa- Christoph Marthaler, who staged Franz ary legacy of French author Marcel tion by Benoît Lachambre. From Brus- Schubert’s lieder cycle ‘Die schöne Proust. And under the title ‘Mi Buenos sels is the Francophone theatre collec- Müllerin’ with the Schauspielhaus Aires Querido’ (literally: ‘My beloved tive Transquinquennal, which is Zürich. In the Hallen van Schaarbeek Buenos Aires’), four plays from Argenti- putting on the first presentations of ‘In Marthaler will integrate the 20 lieder na are being flown over alongside film God We Trust’ in Les Tanneurs, in on the excessive love of a miller’s ap- and several colourful evenings. The which it goes looking for the ‘recipe of prentice for the miller’s wife in a much beautiful interior of Maison du Specta- success for Truth and a (clear) Con- broader score of movement, text and cle - La Bellone will act as a central science’ among contemporary Ameri- song. Where Schubert’s drama plays out meeting place during the Festival (FF). can writers. Finally, at 10 p.m., the first in the melancholy mood of the brook to presentation of the Buenos Aires sec- which the boy entrusts his obsessive se- JEF AERTS • TIJD CULTUUR • 30 APRIL tion will also begin with ‘Open House’ crets, Marthaler has opted for the set- by Daniel Veronese (founder-director of ting of a petit bourgeois and closed sa- From Friday 2 May to 24 May, Kanal 20 El Pereferico des Objetos). lon. There is no sign here of the

focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16 8 CULTURE romanticism of murmuring water and ic call of love create an unbearable ten- KunstenFESTIVALdesArts the wind in the mill. The inert ugliness sion in which music and theatre must Info: 070/222.199, of an everyday existence and the ecstat- go hand in hand. www.kunstenfestivaldesarts.be

Kaldor, Kaaitheaterstudio’s, Brussels tion required; info: www.jacquesbrel.be www.kaaitheater.be 02/511.10.20 Diary • 16 May: The Go Betweens, Botanique, • Until 31 August: The big Sexperiment, Brussels; info: 02/548.37.32 scientific exhibition, Technopolis, MUSIC, DANCE, THEATRE • 10 May: Orishas, Cactusclub, Bruges; Mechelen; info: 015/34.20.00 • 1 to 11 May: Moussem Festival info: 050/33.20.14 • Until 29 June: Music Planet; one (Maghreb) with El Mokhtar el Berkani, • 10 May: Lucinda Williams, Handels- century of pop music in an exhibition, Kasba,Aïsha Tashinwite, Cheba Zina beurs, Ghent; info: 09/265.91.65 Brewery Belle Vue, Molenbeek; & Cheb Rachid and others, Zuiderper- • 10 May: Ten Vrede with Willem Ver- info: www.euroculture.be 02/513/29/84 shuis, Antwerp; info: www.zuiderper- mandere, Geoffrey Oryema, Lee Scratch • From 1 March onwards: The Groen- shuis.be Perry & Mad Professor, Goran Bregovic inghemuseum in Bruges reopened after • 2 to 10 May: L’amour des trois or- and Urban Trad, Diksmuide; facelift; info: 050/44.87.12 anges by Sergeï Prokoviev, conductor: info: 051/50.02.86 • Until 25 May: Presents from the Muses Balasz Kocsar, director: Andreas Komo- • 12 May: Bruce Springsteen, Koning (Greek exhibition linked to the Greek ki; Flanders Opera, Ghent; info: Boudewijnstadion, Brussels; chairmanship of the European Union), www.vlaamseopera.be info: 0900/26060 Royal Museum of Art and History, Jubel- • 7 May: Frank Braley (piano) and Re- • 22 May: Ibrahim Ferrer, Vorst Nation- park, Brussels;info: 02/742.72.11 naud Capuçon (violin), with composi- aal, Brussels; info: 0900/00991 • Until 1 June: Horizons of reality, Russ- tions by Ravel and van Beethoven, De • 13 May: San Francisco Symphony ian contemporary Art, Muhka, Antwerp; Singel, Antwerp, info: 03/248.28.28 Orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson info: 03/238.59.60 www.muhka.be www.desingel.be Thomas with Hilary Hahn, PSK, Brus- • Until 31 May: Louise Bourgeois and • Until 8 June: Revolution/Restoration sels; info: 02/507.82.00 www.bozar.be Hans Op de Beeck, exhibition, Galery – Part I, PSK, Brussels; info: • 15 May: Berliner Philharmoniker con- Xavier Hufkens, Brussels; info: www.bozar.be ducted by Mariss Jansons, PSK, Brus- 02/639.67.30 • 2 to 7 May: Too shy to stare, Davis sels; info: 02/507.82.00 www.bozar.be • Until 9 June: Projects and objects, Freeman/Random scream, dance, Time • Until 18 May: The Warburg Ballets by Claire Bataille and Paul ibens, exhibi- Festival, de Vooruit, Ghent; info: Koen Theys, video-art, SMAK, Ghent; tion, design museum Ghent; info: 09/267.24.24 www.vooruit.be info: 09/221.17.03 09/267.99.99 design.museum.gent.be • 6 to 10 May: Donna Rutherford, unac- • 9 May: Prometheus Ensemble with • Until 30 August: 50 Years of companied, performance Time Festival, Mozart and Harvey, Flagey, Brussels; Matchbox; Toys museum, Mechelen; de Vooruit, Ghent; info: 09/267.24.24 info: www.flagey.be info: 015/55.70.75 www.speelgoedmuse- www.vooruit.be • 10 and 13 May: Daian, the revenge of um.be • 7 and 8 May: First Night, Forced en- Cupido, Barock opera by Reinhard Keis- • Until 11 May: Aluminium by design, tertainment, theatre Time Festival, de er conductor: Florian Heyerick, direc- exhibition, Wielemanshuis, Brussels; Vooruit, Ghent; info: 09/267.24.24 tor,: Gabriele Rech; Flanders Opera, info: 02/544.08.33 www.vooruit.be Antwerp and Publiekstheater, Ghent; • Until 1 June: Social Housing, exhibi- • 7 May: Trio Mediaeval with Messe de info: www.operastudio.be 09/233.24.30 tion, PSK, Brussels; info: 02/507.82.00 Tournai, De Bijloke, Ghent; • 10 May: Omar Sarmini and Ensemble www.pskpba.be info: www.bijloke.be Al-Kindi (Syria), De Singel, Antwerp; • Until 28 September: 2003 Beaufort, • 8 May: L’arpeggiata with Christina info: 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be Contemporary art in the dunes and on Pluhar with work by Stefano Landi and • 14 May: Rotterdams Philharmonisch the beaches of the coastal towns, open Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger, De Orkest conducted by Antonio Pappano air exhibitions with Jan Fabre, Wim Bijloke, Ghent; info: www.bijloke.be with Ian Bostridge (tenor) with compo- Delvoye, Anne & Patrick Poirier, Dniel • 2 to 24 May: KunstenFESTIVALdes- sitions by Walton, Britten and Elgar; Spoerri, Henk Visch, Antony Gormly Arts, Brussels with Christoph De Singel, Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 and others, info: coastal tourist offices Marthaler, Wim Vandekeybus, El www.desingel.be www.beaufort.be Pereferico des Objetos, Federico Leon, • 12 to 16 May: King Lear by W.Shake- • Until 28 September: Marines in con- Transquinquenal, Taxithéatre, Benoit speare and The Antichrist by Roemi, frontation: Seascapes in painting; Lachambre, Erik De Kuyper, Daniel Farroukh Ghassim and theater compa- PMMK, Ostend; info: 059/70/11/99 Veronese and many others, Brussels; ny Aharoen (Tadzjikistan), De Singel, www.pmmk.be info: 070/222.199 www.kunstenfesti- Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 • Until 1 June: An arbitrary History, Cia valdesarts.be www.desingel.be Guo-Qiang, exhibition, SMAK, Ghent; • Until 12 May: Time Festival, Ars info www.smak.be Moriendi/Ars Vivendi, international EXPO • Until 15 June: The City as loft, theatre festival and exhibitions with • From 22 March to 17 January: Jacques KCAP/ASTOC/Kees Christiaanse, ex- Enrique Vargas, Random Scream, Com- Brel, ‘The right to dream’, exhibition, hibition De Singel, Antwerp, info: pagnie des petits miracles, Ezechiel Schildknaapstraat 50, Brussels; reserva- 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be Garcia-Romeu, Forced entertainment, • Until 15 June: David Goldblatt, Ghent; info: www.timefestival.be photographer, exhibition, PSK, la fland • 5 to 8 May: Or press escape, Edith ur re s • Brussels; info: www.bozar.be s f u o c c o u f s

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Editor in chief: Frank Vandecaveye n • Translation: Eurologos n

• Advisory panel: Luc Demeester (Lannoo), Rik Van s • Printing: Drukkerij Lannoo nv, Tielt u

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focus on FLANDERS • 26 April - 2 May 2003 • Number 16