Latest news with #Flanders
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Complaint upheld against Belgian ticket inspector who said ‘bonjour' in Flanders
A complaint against a Belgian ticket inspector who gave passengers a bilingual greeting in Dutch-speaking Flanders has been upheld, shedding light on the country's strict language laws. The conductor, Ilyass Alba, said Belgium's Permanent Commission for Linguistic Control had upheld a complaint made by a commuter in 2024. The passenger had objected to Alba's use of the French word 'bonjour' while the train was in Dutch-speaking Flanders. Alba said he had greeted the carriage with 'Goeiedag, bonjour' (good day in Dutch and French), as the train approached Vilvoorde (Vilvorde), near the outskirts of Brussels, which is officially bilingual. The commission upheld the passenger's complaint that Alba should not have used French in the Dutch-speaking part of the country, unless approached by a passenger speaking French. 'What a country!' Alba wrote on Facebook. He said he understood why a passenger concerned to protect his mother tongue would file such a complaint, but 'that the commission would rule in his favour when travellers from all over the world visit Belgium is a sign of narrow-mindedness on the part of a small Flemish elite.' For its part, the commission, which was created in 1966 to police Belgium's language rules, said it was upholding the law and only the legislature could make changes. Under Belgium's strict language rules, conductors on the national rail service SNCB (NMBS in Dutch) should only use Dutch in Flanders, French in the southern-speaking Francophone region, and both languages in bilingual Brussels. The rule applies to passenger announcements and onboard electronic screens. Local media reported that the decision would not have any consequences for Alba, beyond perhaps a warning, which equally applied to his employer. The rail operator has played down the incident, saying that its employee had wanted 'to warmly greet all passengers, something to which we attach great importance'. When the case came to public attention, Belgium's then transport minister, Georges Gilkinet, said the 'strict blind application of the rules' made little sense, blaming the far-right Vlaams Belang and nationalist New Flemish Alliance parties for their continuation. But even politicians from non-separatist Flemish parties have spoken in favour of the rules. Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion Belgium's Francophone public broadcaster RTBF said the rules 'may seem absurd' but reflected 'linguistic tensions that transcend numerous debates in our country. The softening of these rules does not seem to be on the agenda.' The conductor, who has started selling mugs with the greeting 'Goeiedag, Bonjour', said he had received many messages of support from Dutch speakers. While saying he was not calling for changes to the 1966 language law, he called for greater flexibility. 'Whatever will be, long live Belgium,' he said.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Complaint upheld against Belgian ticket inspector who said ‘Bonjour' in Flanders
A complaint against a Belgian ticket inspector who gave passengers a bilingual greeting in Dutch-speaking Flanders has been upheld, shedding light on the country's strict language laws. The conductor, Ilyass Alba, said Belgium's Permanent Commission for Linguistic Control had upheld a complaint made by a commuter in 2024. The passenger had objected to Alba's use of the French word 'bonjour' while the train was in Dutch-speaking Flanders. Alba said he had greeted the carriage with 'Goeiedag, Bonjour' (good day in Dutch and French), as the train approached Vilvoorde (Vilvorde), near the outskirts of Brussels, which is officially bilingual. The commission upheld the passenger's complaint that Alba should not have used French in the Dutch-speaking part of the country, unless approached by a passenger speaking French. 'What a country!' Alba wrote on Facebook. He said he understood why a passenger concerned to protect his mother tongue would file such a complaint, but 'that the commission would rule in his favour when travellers from all over the world visit Belgium is a sign of narrow-mindedness on the part of a small Flemish elite.' For its part, the commission, which was created in 1966 to police Belgium's language rules, said it was upholding the law and only the legislature could make changes. Under Belgium's strict language rules, conductors on the national rail service SNCB (NMBS in Dutch) should only use Dutch in Flanders, French in the southern-speaking Francophone region, and both languages in bilingual Brussels. The rule applies to passenger announcements and onboard electronic screens. Local media reported that the decision would not have any consequences for Alba, beyond perhaps a warning, which equally applied to his employer. The rail operator has played down the incident, saying that its employee had wanted 'to warmly greet all passengers, something to which we attach great importance'. When the case came to public attention, Belgium's then transport minister, Georges Gilkinet, said the 'strict blind application of the rules' made little sense, blaming the far-right Vlaams Belang and nationalist New Flemish Alliance parties for their continuation. But even politicians from non-separatist Flemish parties have spoken in favour of the rules. Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion Belgium's Francophone public broadcaster RTBF said the rules 'may seem absurd' but reflected 'linguistic tensions that transcend numerous debates in our country. The softening of these rules does not seem to be on the agenda.' The conductor, who has started selling mugs with the greeting 'Goeiedag, Bonjour', said he had received many messages of support from Dutch speakers. While saying he was not calling for changes to the 1966 language law, he called for greater flexibility. 'Whatever will be, long live Belgium,' he said.
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Banking, Booze and 007's Wheels: 10 Companies to Watch Right Now
The rapid growth of discount carrier Digi in Proximus' home market of Belgium is likely to be more disruptive for the telecommunications company than the market believes. Proximus' revenue and cash flow could disappoint for years as Digi expands after launching with mobile-service plans at two-thirds the incumbent's price and broadband that's 80% cheaper. —Erhan Gurses
Sky News AU
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
AFL: Gold Coast Suns intent on keeping Sam Flanders
Suns coach Damien Hardwick has suggested rival clubs shouldn't waste their time trying to lure midfielder Sam Flanders away from the Gold Coast. Flanders, 23, is contracted to the Suns until the end of the 2027 AFL season; however, reports have emerged that St Kilda and some other Victorian clubs are keen to bring Flanders back to his home state sooner. However, Hardwick has no intention of letting go of the Gippsland product. 'We're not in the business of trading our very best players, so Sam Flanders won't be going anywhere,' the Suns coach said on Friday. 'I've got a real soft spot for Sam. He's one of my favourites. He's been really challenged this year with injury but … we're really positive about his back end of the year. 'He's the solution for us. He's an outstanding player. When he plays at his very best with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson and Touk Miller … we're a different side.' Flanders isn't the only Suns star being reportedly chased by Victorian clubs, with off-contract on-baller Rowell and forward Ben King also linked with moves south. However, Hardwick said the Suns – who have won eight from 12 this season ahead of their clash on Sunday against the GWS Giants at Engie Stadium – were set to become a club that top players from other teams would want to join in a similar way to fellow Queenslanders and reigning premiers Brisbane. 'We've got to make sure this is the very best environment for players,' the former Richmond three-time premiership-winning coach said, 'We've got opposition clubs speaking to our players and we're speaking to opposition players. 'We want to keep our very good players, (and) we're also happy to take a few as well.' Hardwick's Suns are hoping to avoid a third successive defeat on Sunday after suffering back-to-back loss before their bye last weekend. 'We're really bullish about how far we can go,' he said ahead of the 'next shift' in the Suns' battle to play finals football for the first time. 'We've put to bed the first part of the year. This part of the year is really important. The contenders stand up and the pretenders fall away. That's the challenge from here on in. 'We're really excited about the next block of four games (against the Giants, Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood) that's going to present an opportunity for us. 'We're firmly zone in on what that looks like. We've got some areas of our game that we really like, but we've certainly got a lot of improvement left in us as well.' Originally published as Gold Coast Suns star Sam Flanders isn't 'going anywhere' despite interest from Victorian clubs
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Sam's our man, says Suns coach
Suns coach Damien Hardwick has suggested rival clubs shouldn't waste their time trying to lure midfielder Sam Flanders away from the Gold Coast. Flanders, 23, is contracted to the Suns until the end of the 2027 AFL season; however, reports have emerged that St Kilda and some other Victorian clubs are keen to bring Flanders back to his home state sooner. However, Hardwick has no intention of letting go of the Gippsland product. 'We're not in the business of trading our very best players, so Sam Flanders won't be going anywhere,' the Suns coach said on Friday. 'I've got a real soft spot for Sam. He's one of my favourites. He's been really challenged this year with injury but … we're really positive about his back end of the year. 'He's the solution for us. He's an outstanding player. When he plays at his very best with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson and Touk Miller … we're a different side.' Gold Coast midfielder Sam Flanders is among of Suns coach Damien Hardwick's 'favourites'. Gold Coast Suns Credit: News Corp Australia Flanders isn't the only Suns star being reportedly chased by Victorian clubs, with off-contract on-baller Rowell and forward Ben King also linked with moves south. However, Hardwick said the Suns – who have won eight from 12 this season ahead of their clash on Sunday against the GWS Giants at Engie Stadium – were set to become a club that top players from other teams would want to join in a similar way to fellow Queenslanders and reigning premiers Brisbane. 'We've got to make sure this is the very best environment for players,' the former Richmond three-time premiership-winning coach said, 'We've got opposition clubs speaking to our players and we're speaking to opposition players. 'We want to keep our very good players, (and) we're also happy to take a few as well.' Hardwick's Suns are hoping to avoid a third successive defeat on Sunday after suffering back-to-back loss before their bye last weekend. 'We're really bullish about how far we can go,' he said ahead of the 'next shift' in the Suns' battle to play finals football for the first time. 'We've put to bed the first part of the year. This part of the year is really important. The contenders stand up and the pretenders fall away. That's the challenge from here on in. 'We're really excited about the next block of four games (against the Giants, Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood) that's going to present an opportunity for us. 'We're firmly zone in on what that looks like. We've got some areas of our game that we really like, but we've certainly got a lot of improvement left in us as well.'
