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Focus on the DUTCH SPEAKING PART of BELGIUM Press Review Weekly, Does Not Appear in July • Number 14 • 2 April - 8 April 2005

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Focus on the DUTCH SPEAKING PART of BELGIUM Press Review Weekly, Does Not Appear in July • Number 14 • 2 April - 8 April 2005 flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF BELGIUM press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 14 • 2 April - 8 April 2005 INTRODUCTION Broad consultation over la fland ur re s • s f n the slack period of the politi- u o c c o u cal Easter recess the death of f s I • o the Pope was the focus of atten- n Flemish climate policy n r f e l tion for days in Flanders. The a d n n d a l e queue of millions who shuffled f r f s u a • f o s k u forward inch by inch along the n 30 and 31 May there will be a KATRIEN VERSTRAETE • DE TIJD • 8 APRIL barriers in St Peter’s Square to Flemish Climate Conference, file past the embalmed body of O the dead prelate was the central news item of TV bul- announced the Flemish Minister for the The consultation process is being or- letins day after day. Environment and Energy, Kris Peeters ganised together with the Flanders So- De Morgen (6 April) wonders whether most Flem- ings are not now sick and tired of the incessant news (CD&V). That will signal the start of a cial and Economic Council (Sociaal- on the Pope. But even the many Flemings who did broad round of consultations. Over the Economische Raad van Vlaanderen, not share his strict conservative ethical views now next few months employers, trade SERV) and the Environment and Nature suddenly appeared remarkably mild in their judge- ment of the prelate. He contributed significantly to unions and environmental organisa- Council of Flanders (Milieu- en Natuur- the dialogue between the religions, say several Flem- tions must reach as broad a consensus as raad Vlaanderen, MiNa Council). The ish Vatican-watchers, to which was added in a muf- possible on Flemish climate policy. The SERV is the consultative and advisory fled voice that the Pope ‘missed the connection with modernity’. That under the pontificate of John Paul II aim is both to outline a long-term vision body of the Flemish social partners the churches grew empty, a fact that was the subject and propose concrete environmental (employers and unions). The MiNa of frequent debate in recent years, was now not mentioned. And in Flanders this exodus and secular- measures for the current Flemish gov- Council includes representatives of the isation in general was striking. Practising Catholic ernment (up to 2009). According to De SERV, environmental and nature organ- Flemings have become a small minority, although Tijd, this modus operandi is unique in isations, the Association of Flemish believers or Flemings inspired by Christianity are def- initely not, according to surveys in recent years. This the political history of Flanders. The Cities and Municipalities (Vereniging broader category of ‘believers’ wants little to do with Flemish Government generally seeks a van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten) the temporary flare-up of popular devotion among political agreement first and only then and academics. the millions of pilgrims who flooded Rome this past week. De Morgen finds it a surprising spectacle (8 asks for advice. Thanks to the consulta- After the ‘high mass’ at the end of May April) and warns that this should not be confused tions, this order has been reversed (FF). work groups will address the various as- with the renewed search for meaning and spiritual- ity. The Gazet van Antwerpen in turn believes that pects of Flemish climate policy. Peeters Flemings are sometimes a little too quick to mock CONTENTS is asking the negotiators to establish the spectacle in Rome. A bit more understanding the main themes of a Flemish climate and respect would not do us any harm, says the pa- per. However, the critical stance held for years by be- Politics and Religion policy plan 2006-2012 which he wants lievers and even clergymen towards the Pope in Flan- How to involve Flemish Parliament to put before the Flemish Government ders could not prevent Cardinal Godfried Danneels in EU matters? 2 in October. from being viewed as a potential candidate for pope both in his own country and in the international Municipal tax drop is make-believe 2 Broadly tolerated proposals must pre- press. Celibacy called into question 2 vent rows from continually breaking Danneels is not considered to be one of the leading candidates, but could well provide a surprise as an out over the CD&V Minister’s environ- outsider, according to De Frankfurter Allgemeine, for Social policy mental policy measures. At the same example. That he spoke out against the official papal No job offers for Walloon unemployed 3 time, the round of talks will give social view for the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS, for women in the administration of the church ACV wants to introduce and economic partners and environ- and for less concentration of power in the Vatican, international trade union card 3 mental organisations the chance to in- may well count against him at first sight. But many fluence environmental policy from the commentators are convinced that if the cardinals opt for a change of style from his predecessor, Danneels Economy and Foreign Trade outset. Jan Turf of the environmental has a chance. At his press conference on the eve of Government cuts duty to umbrella organisation Bond Beter the funeral in Rome Danneels again demonstrated that he communicates very well in several languages, compensate for high price of diesel 4 Leefmilieu is enthusiastic. ‘This is a is media-friendly and despite his progressive views Gimv is being privatised 4 fantastic thing. Usually the advisory can easily steer a middle course. At this meeting he Towards a reorganisation of bodies the SERV and the MiNa Council explained his views on the profile the new pope should have. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, he is Flemish energy distribution 5 are only consulted at the end of a deci- depicting himself as the champion of the third way Shops for recycled goods are a huge sion-making process.’ between the conservative line and the modern success 6 Even VOKA, the Flemish network of ‘Third-World Pope’. Danneels was not prepared to comment on his own chances and those of the other Flanders is no stranger in Japan 6 enterprises, has reacted positively. One candidates. To a comment by a journalist that he is in of the subjects during the talks will be eighth place with international bookmakers, he re- sponded laconically ‘I’m not a horse’, like an accom- Media and Culture the fight against greenhouse gases after plished diplomat. VRT wants to launch digital channels 7 2012. Major examination and restoration ■ Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief of Rubens paintings 7 focus on FLANDERS • 2 April - 8 April 2005 • Number 14 2 POLITICS AND RELIGION FLEMISH PARLIAMENT not tolerate any form of patronising by De Batselier wants to involve the Federal Parliaments. De Croo apparently answered that he under- stood that and shared De Batselier's Flemish Parlimant in Europe point of view. He also wants to put in place structures enabling the Flemish Parliament to To avoid rows over powers, De Batseli- closely follow and even modify European decision-making er is thinking of a procedure to indicate which parliament should take the lead Norbert De Batselier (SP.A), Chairman these agreements, says De Batselier, it in which dossier. of the Flemish Parliament, wants his is essential that the seven regional and De Batselier wants a mechanism Assembly not to be forgotten in Europe, community parliaments have the same whereby not only the Chamber and the even though the European Constitu- power as the Federal Parliament when- Senate but all Belgian parliaments are tion only mentions national parlia- ever the European Constitution speaks informed directly and without filtering ments. He wants the seven community of the ‘national’ parliaments of the by European institutions about Euro- and regional parliaments to be able to Member States. pean legislation negotiations. He wants take the lead in their areas of compe- Our country has produced a declaration the regions to be given the chance to tence and not be tutored by the Federal on this subject - Declaration 49 - but follow European decision-making as Parliament. He also wants to put in according to the Council of State this is closely as possible and if necessary to place structures enabling the Flemish not enforceable where European insti- modify it. For this, an ‘early intelli- Parliament to closely follow and even tutions are concerned. And so, says De gence system’ is needed so that Euro- modify European decision-making (FF). Batselier, the Belgian parliaments must pean rules become known at an early reach mutual agreements that guaran- stage. In any event, De Batselier wants BART DOBBELAERE • DE STANDAARD • tee that each one has the same rights to set up a Europe department in his 7 APRIL within its constitutional powers as the own parliament specifically to keep the Federal Parliament. Flemish Parliament involved at Euro- Because the European Constitution In any case, De Batselier has already pean policy level. only acknowledges national parlia- made it clear to his federal colleague ments, all Belgian parliaments have to Herman De Croo (VLD) in a letter of 10 enter into co-operation agreements. In March that the Flemish Parliament will ■ MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS RELIGION Drop in municipal taxes Celibacy called into question by head of just make-believe Brothers of Love residents are still paying considerably more taxes than in 2000 FF EDITOR ver the past five years, living in This year, Flemish local authorities are Now that Pope John Paul II has died, O the Flemish municipalities has cutting their supplementary personal several prominent clergymen in Flan- become significantly more expensive income tax on average to 7.16%, ders have also commented on what di- from the point of view of taxation.
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