19 Jul '16

Ministers approve new measures before summer recess

Summary

The government of Flanders has broken for summer after giving the green light to new driving and radio regulations, funding for rest homes and refugees, and investment in science and innovation

Parliamentary highlights

The Flemish government has gone into the summer recess with a “super-council of ministers” approving a series of new measures.
 

They include changes to the requirements for the driving test from mobility minister Ben Weyts and a commitment to switch from analogue to digital radio from media minister Sven Gatz. The plan by environment minister Joke Schauvliege to call a halt to all construction on open land from 2050 was sent back to the drawing board at the last minute after objections from N-VA.

Housing minister Liesbeth Homans presented her plan for strengthening the private rental market, including financial support for landlords who rent to low-income tenants at affordable rents. Education minister Hilde Crevits announced €160 million for investment in school buildings.

Welfare minister Jo Vandeurzen announced new rules on people in Brussels covered by Flemish health insurance, more money for activities in rest homes and 145 new places for unaccompanied refugees under 15 outside the large reception centres.

Innovation minister Philippe Muyters announced €30 million of new investment in science and innovation, putting R&D investment this year on track for a record total. Energy minister Bart Tommelein announced changes to the Turteltax.

The government also circulated a presentation of its highlights of the parliamentary year. They include the introduction of a road toll for lorries; a new system of child allowance; slimming down the provincial authorities and integrating social aid agencies in municipal councils; goals for renewable energy and means of achieving them; reduced salary costs for certain groups; planned start of construction of the Oosterweel connection in Antwerp in 2017; a new woodland compensation scheme and the switch to digital radio.

Photo: Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga

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Government of Flanders

Belgium is a federal state with several regional governments. The northern, Dutch-speaking region of Flanders is governed by the Flemish government, which was created when the Flemish Region and the Flemish Community joined forces in 1980. A minister-president presides over the government of Flanders, and Brussels is the capital city.
Competences - The government of Flanders is responsible for the economy, foreign trade, health care, energy, housing, agriculture, environmental concerns, public works and transport, employment policy, culture, education and science and innovation. Flanders also has the power to sign international treaties in these competencies.
Sole legislator - The powers of the Flemish government and of the federal government do not overlap. Therefore, only one government serves as legislator for each policy area. Flemish laws are called decrees. Decrees apply in co-ordination with federal laws.
Official holiday - 11 July is the official holiday of the Flemish Community, in commemoration of the Battle of the Golden Spurs in Kortrijk on 11 July 1302, when Flemings defeated the army of the French king. Flanders’ official anthem is “De Vlaamse Leeuw” (The Flemish Lion).
6

million people live in the Flemish Region.

5

provinces constitute the Flemish Region: West Flanders, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Antwerp and Limburg.

5

number of years for which the Flemish Parliament is elected. Its elections coincide with those of the European Parliament.

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