Discrimination on grounds of nationality in the accommodation of people with disabilities in Walloon establishments
8.11.2023
Question for written answer E-003293/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christophe Clergeau (S&D)
On 28 February 2021, the French Minister of State for Disabled People, in consultation with her Walloon counterpart, announced a moratorium on Belgium’s capacity to accommodate French adults with disabilities. This moratorium followed the joint committee meeting of 21 January 2021. It was adopted in accordance with the 2011 France-Wallonia framework agreement on accommodation for people with disabilities in Belgium. This agreement lays down a quota for the number of French nationals who can be accommodated in Wallonia, set at the number of French nationals accommodated as of 28 February 2021. That gives rise to discrimination on grounds of nationality in the accommodation of French people in Belgian structures.
The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union prohibits such discrimination. Furthermore, under Directive 2004/38/EC, every citizen of the Union has the primary and individual right to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States.
In view of this, are France and Belgium not infringing EU law by applying this moratorium?
Submitted: 8.11.2023