Brussels minister president faces scrutiny over Dutch skills
Brussels’ new minister president, Boris Dilliès, brings years of experience in the Brussels Parliament and government. His limited command of Dutch, however, drew attention over the weekend. Questioned in Dutch by journalists, Dilliès responded hesitantly before acknowledging the issue and pledging to improve.
"It’s been 20 years since I last spoke it. At the time, I was working in the private sector, at a Dutch-speaking company. When I left that company, my Dutch wasn’t exceptional, but I knew how to get by, it wasn’t as bad as it is now," he told RTBF on Monday.
Dilliès asked for understanding, noting he had had little time to prepare for his new role. He was informed at 7:15 on Saturday that he would become minister president and was facing questions from the press by 8:00.
But the former mayor of Uccle said he intended to strengthen his language skills in the short term. "I owe the people of Brussels a good knowledge of the language. That is essential, I plead guilty."
The predominance of French in the officially bilingual region has long been a sensitive issue in Flanders. Several hospitals in the capital, for example, struggle to provide care in Dutch despite their legal obligations. Dutch-speaking doctors are also refusing new patients and there are many waiting lists.
In response, Flemish minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter launched the ToTaalplan Nederlands last summer, alongside a call for projects worth more than 1 million euros. The initiative aims to create more opportunities to learn, practise and use Dutch in the capital. "Together, we are building a Brussels where Dutch is not only learned, but also lived," she said at the time.
But Van Achter's concerns will not rank high on the Brussels government’s agenda. The region faces rising drug-related violence, growing homelessness and a deepening budget crisis. Restoring fiscal stability over the next three years would, in itself, mark a significant achievement for Dilliès.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN
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