Until 2009 the local stations were on the whole profitable, but the economic crisis struck and saw them faced with depleted funds and a smaller audience. Compared to 2009, income in 2010 was down by an average of 15%. In the new session in the autumn, Lieten plans to start work on a negotiated policy plan for the next five years to deal with questions like financing, news journalism, subtitling of programmes and attracting new audiences.

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The parliament also gave almost unanimous support to plans to help avoid flooding in vulnerable areas when severe weather hits, such as happened last November and January. The plans include avoiding wherever possible that open ground is paved over, so that rainwater can enter the ground immediately instead of running off and causing floods, as well as new tighter rules on new construction in flood-sensitive areas. The cost of flooding is estimated at between €100 and €200 million a year in Flanders.

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To mark his last session as a Brussels member of the parliament sitting for Open VLD, Sven Gatz received a standing ovation from his fellow members, and a fulsome tribute from speaker Jan Peumans, who praised him for his “efforts for Brussels, his drive as a faction leader, and his desire to seek consensus”. Gatz, who is leaving to become director of the Belgian Brewers' federation, was also praised for his “punk qualities,” with the speaker describing him as “a liberal in a suit but no tie”. Gatz's place will be taken by 41-year-old Khadija Zamouri.

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Last week's sitting was the last plenary session of the Flemish parliament before the summer recess, after what speaker Jan Peumans described as “another busy year” in which a record number of questions had been put to ministers. The new season is scheduled to begin on 26 September. This column will therefore return in October.