The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Answer:
No, this measure violates Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements, which promote equal representation and linguistic coexistence. Belgium’s system ensures that both Dutch and French-speaking communities have equal rights. Banning French in schools discriminates against French speakers and goes against the spirit of accommodation and respect for diversity in Belgium’s governance.