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BHV split after almost half a century

The 8 parties negotiating a state reform have finally reached a first accord, on how the constituency of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde will be split. They also struck a deal on the three burgomasters of the Flemish municipalities around Brussels with language facilities. However, this being said, there is a still a long way to go for negotiators. The talks will continue this afternoon, with a number of things on the agenda like the transfers of powers to the regions and the financing laws.

Thu 15 Sep 2011 10:04

The Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde constituency (BHV) has been a thorn in the eye of the Flemish parties for decades, as it allows voters living in the Flemish area around Brussels to vote for Francophone candidates in Brussels.

Under the new accord, this will no longer be possible. An exception will only be made for the six Flemish municipalities around Brussels with language facilities for the French-speakers. In Drogenbos, Linkebeek, Wemmel, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Kraainem and Wezenbeek, voters will have the choice to vote for local candidates or Francophone candidates in Brussels.

The agreement is a first success for Elio Di Rupo (Francophone socialist, photo), who heads the talks as formateur. Mr Di Rupo had launched a dramatic appeal to negotiators yesterday night, saying that last night's talks were their "last chance" and that "the future of the country was at stake."

BHV, a sticking point for 48 years

BHV has been a problem ever since 1963, when it was created as a part of a compromise deal when the language borders in Belgium were set. On BHV, Flemish and Francophone politicians never had any kind of accord though. French-speakers in 35 Flemish municipalities around Brussels had the option to cast a vote on Francophone candidates. Francophone slowly but surely took this for granted, while the Flemings argued that this was against the constitution and demanded that BHV be split. A ruling by the Constitutional Court in 2003 stipulated that Belgium's politicians should find a solution for BHV. This has finally happened with negotiators breaking the deadlock last night, 459 days after the federal elections.

The case of the three burgomasters

A deal has also been struck on the Burgomasters of Kraainem, Linkebeek and Sint-Genesius-Rode. However, this new regulation would only apply after next year's local elections, which take place in the autumn of 2012.

Last night's deal also includes a chapter on the Burgomasters of the six municipalities with language facilities. After the local elections, the Mayors will still appointed by the Flemish government.

However, if Flanders refuses to do so - e.g. when the Burgomasters violate language regulations - the matter will be brought to a bilingual court of the Council of State - at present, this is a Flemish court.

For the moment, the burgomasters of Kraainem, Wezembeek-Oppem and Linkebeek still haven't been officially installed by the Flemish government after breaking language regulations. However, there are new local elections coming up in the autumn of next year.