In a heated session in the Belgian Chamber on Thursday, tensions flared between CD&V president Sammy Mahdi and Francophone MPs over the SNCB’s language policy.
Mahdi reaffirmed his strong opposition to any changes in this matter, reacting to a recent incident in Vilvoorde, where he resides.
A complaint was lodged with the Permanent Commission for Language Control regarding a bilingual announcement in French and Dutch on a train, which should have been made solely in Dutch as the train was in Vilvoorde, part of Flanders. The announcement was merely a “good morning” in both languages.
Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) and the SNCB seized the opportunity on Wednesday to call for more flexible language rules within the state railway company. But Mahdi condemned this stance as “extremely disrespectful,” reiterating this sentiment in the Chamber on Thursday, backed by Eva Demesmaeker (N-VA).
In his address to Georges Gilkinet, Mahdi also criticised Francophone education. “In the previous legislature, you could have ensured trains were punctual or made learning Dutch mandatory in Francophone Belgian schools. It’s a disgrace that it isn’t compulsory and now you’re lecturing us. Goodbye and thank you,” he declared, eliciting boos from Francophone members and exchanged farewell gestures.
Gilkinet, whose party supports mandatory Dutch in Francophone education, did not comment on Mahdi’s remarks but stated that the train attendant’s actions were “common sense.” He advocated for a “flexible” approach to updating the legislation.
François De Smet (DéFI), whose party remains attentive to the situation of Francophones in the Brussels periphery, also spoke. “This is a trivial matter that shouldn’t be raised here. It’s one thing for the N-VA to harp on it, but Mahdi’s involvement is alarming. This incident highlights the irrational nature of nationalism, which can make even a reasoned and intelligent figure like Mahdi forget his priorities,” he concluded.
De Smet said “it is time to move on” and reiterated that “A ‘Good morning’ on a train isn’t an official announcement or an electoral call; it’s a human gesture that shouldn’t frighten anyone.” He received applause from Francophones as well as Vooruit, PVDA, and Groen.
