This supplement was about volksvertegenwoordigers (“people’s representatives”) of the Flemish parliament – in other words members of parliament. On 7 June Flanders goes to the polls – and Flemings have no choice really since voting is compulsory – to elect 124 MPs.
I may have lost some of you by now, but the supplement provided quite interesting reading. I’ll leave the politics of it to Anja Otte and her Fifth Column. What I found interesting was the candid end-of-term report card on each of the present deputies, including an appraisal by each one’s party leader in parliament.
Some are described as een zeer harde werker – a very hard worker; others are ticked off with er zat meer in – could have done better. Other comments are either sexist: het meest charmante parlementslid – the most charming member of parliament; or obscure: hij is onze tandarts – he is our dentist.
One, who gets a high rating, is described, disparagingly I first thought, as een oude rot, which means not an old rotter but an old hand.
The oude rot’s party loyalty is commented on: hij blijft een loyale partijman tot in de kist rebels karakte – he will remain a loyal party man to the grave (“to the coffin”). Others tow the line less: soms rebels karakter – sometimes a rebellious character, which sounds like the nuns’ opinion of Maria.
Parliament has all sorts: one is een beetje een pitbull – a bit of a pitbull; another een beetje timide. Some seem to be in the wrong job: linguïstisch niet goed, gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen – linguistically not good, a lack of self-confidence. Some shine: pet af! – hats off to him!; others don’t: hij is compleet onzichtbaar – he is completely invisible. Only one got the maximum rating; several got the minimum.
Politicians and drink are often inseparable: one member who promoted road safety was done in by drink driving; another embarrassed himself by his openbare dronkenschap in het halfronde – public drunkenness in the chamber.
Since MPs are allowed to moonlight, many are also mayors in their home towns. It doesn’t always work: het is erg moeilijk voor wie niet in zijn dorp woont om deze man te kennen – it is very difficult for anyone not from his village to know this man. That’s telling him!
Wherever you’re from, you could probably pin all these descriptions on your own politicians. On 7 June the voters will decide how different the next Flemish parliament will look.
Flanders Today is a 
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