Will Flemish Community Day become a paid holiday? Only if another holiday is removed
The new federal coalition agreement allows the Belgian regions to have their own public holidays. Flanders wants this recognition, but only if another public holiday is abolished, Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) told the Flemish parliament on Tuesday.
Since the last legislative period, Flanders has been pushing for the recognition of 11 July - Flemish Community Day - as a paid public holiday. However, no agreement was reached with the other regions at that time. "I am confident that we will succeed in this legislature," Diependaele said.
"The introduction of regional holidays must not affect competitiveness"
However, the extra holiday must be compensated for, either by abolishing an existing public holiday or by using one that falls on a Saturday or Sunday in a given year, he added. "The introduction of regional holidays must not affect competitiveness."
Flemish Community Day commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs on 11 July 1302, when militias from Flemish towns and communities defeated a French cavalry army near Kortrijk. These Flemish forces were mainly civilian militias made up of craftsmen and farmers. The battle is named after the many golden spurs found on the battlefield.
#FlandersNewsService | Reception at Brussels City Hall as part of the celebrations for Flemish Community Day, 11 July 2024 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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