Mathias Vanden Borre slams VGC policy statement: “No figures, no choices, no vision”

The new policy statement issued by the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) lacks clear choices, concrete figures and a vision for its relationship with Flanders, says N-VA group leader Mathias Vanden Borre. “There is nothing new about this policy statement. It is simply old wine in new bottles. Once again, the Board is announcing all sorts of plans without telling Brussels residents how much any of it will cost. No figures, no clear choices and certainly no vision.”

Ties with Flanders

For Mathias Vanden Borre, the VGC’s attitude towards Flanders is particularly striking. He notes that the policy statement makes no mention of how the VGC intends to contribute to Flemish Minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter’s comprehensive plan for the Dutch language. Nor does it say anything about the 11 July celebrations or the festivities that bring the Flemish community together in Brussels.

“This is no innocent oversight; it is a political signal,” says Mathias Vanden Borre. “Increasingly, it seems that no one is supposed to say out loud what Flanders brings to Brussels. This Board appears more interested in distancing itself from Flanders than in working with it.”

“Apparently, Dutch stops when the school bell rings”

According to Mathias Vanden Borre, the VGC’s language policy also falls short. While he welcomes the attention being paid to Dutch-language proficiency in education, he sees no such ambition when it comes to after-school childcare.

“By now, they have understood that we need to invest in our Brussels youngsters’ command of Dutch. But the policy statement says nothing about further strengthening the use of Dutch in after-school childcare. That is staggering. Apparently, Dutch stops when the school bell rings.”

Targeting resources where they matter most

Mathias Vanden Borre also points to the lack of concrete figures against which the VGC’s policies can be assessed. “How many additional places have been created? How serious is the teacher shortage? How many children are on waiting lists? How much money is being spent on strengthening Dutch-language skills? And how much of what has been announced is actually funded? Brussels residents deserve figures, not political marketing,” says Mathias Vanden Borre.

Finally, Mathias Vanden Borre argues that the VGC Board needs to be clearer about where it chooses to focus its staff and resources. In his view, not every social issue requires a new project or a new subsidy.

“The VGC’s core mission is clear: to strengthen the Dutch language, guarantee Dutch-language services, support education and childcare, and reinforce the Flemish presence in Brussels. That is where its resources and attention should be focused first and foremost,” concludes Mathias Vanden Borre.