Flemish housing code

4.1.2007

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0017/07
by Frieda Brepoels (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

On 6 December 2006, the Flemish Parliament approved an amendment to the Flemish housing code so as to require would-be tenants to display a readiness to learn Dutch in order to facilitate relations with public-housing landlords. At the end of December 2005, the Walloon Government complained to the Commission about this measure.

Belgium's language laws regulate the use of languages between government bodies or services and members of the public for the various language regions. In the Dutch-speaking region the language to be used is Dutch. Public housing corporations are providers of public services. Accordingly, they are subject to the language laws, and Dutch is the only language whose use is permitted for communication between tenants and landlords.

The Council of State has issued a detailed opinion, rejecting all the objections of the Walloon Government and stating that all national and European requirements have been complied with. However, statements by Commission representatives quoted in the French-language press suggest that the Commission does not agree with this point of view and considers that discrimination is occurring and that the principle of equality is being violated. On the basis of what arguments can the Commission already make such assessments?

If these reports are correct, the Commission's view would not only have implications for the Flemish housing code. The entire edifice of the language laws, with the delicate balance which they strike and the political sensitivities which are involved, would be called into question. Does the Commission actually have the power to intervene in such matters?

OJ C 293, 05/12/2007