Flemish Parliament President Calls for State Reform on 11 July

On the occasion of the Flemish Community holiday on 11 July, Freya Van den Bossche, President of the Flemish Parliament and member of the social democratic Vooruit party, delivered a landmark speech at Brussels City Hall calling for a comprehensive reform of Flemish governmental structures. She argued that six decades of state reforms have never gone far enough, leaving Flanders with an overly complex and inefficient governance system ill-suited to the challenges of the 21st century.

A Call for Internal Reform

Speaking at the traditional 11 July ceremony, Van den Bossche painted a stark picture of Flanders’ current institutional landscape. “Look at how we are organized: 6 parliaments, 6 governments. And below that: provinces, small and large municipalities, intercommunales, intermediary structures, a patchwork of administrations and mandates, each with its own logic, its own pace, its own interests,” she said, as reported by VRT NWS. “All those layers were once an answer to yesterday’s questions. Today they are too often a brake on tomorrow’s answers.”

Van den Bossche argued that international developments, artificial intelligence, and climate change demand agile governance — qualities she believes Flanders currently lacks. She acknowledged that reform efforts have been attempted before, but insisted they have fallen short. “We have never truly pushed through. Too many vetoes, too many taboos, too much old politics. Half-hearted choices. The work is not finished,” she said.

Crucially, Van den Bossche emphasized that internal reform does not require lengthy negotiations with the federal level. “The good news is that we don’t have to wait for anyone to do something about it. It doesn’t require an institutional big bang, no years-long negotiation round. It requires only one thing: the will to do things differently,” she stated.

A Tale of Two Visions

Van den Bossche’s speech came just one day after Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) delivered his own 11 July address in Kortrijk, where he called for a very different kind of reform. Diependaele urged the federal government to grant Flanders fiscal autonomy modeled on the Basque Country in Spain, where regional authorities collect all taxes on their territory and remit a fixed percentage to the central government.

As VRT NWS reported, Diependaele argued that “politicians who are responsible for expenditures should also be responsible for revenues.” He expressed concern about Belgium’s “lamentable federal financial situation” and offered Flemish help with federal finances — but only in exchange for substantial concessions.

The two speeches reveal a fascinating political dynamic. While both leaders agree that change is necessary, they differ fundamentally on the direction. Diependaele’s N-VA looks outward, seeking to transfer powers from the federal level to Flanders. Van den Bossche’s Vooruit looks inward, arguing that Flanders must first put its own house in order before demanding more autonomy.

Denmark as a Model

Van den Bossche held up Denmark as an example of long-term political decision-making. “The Danes know something we seem to have forgotten: that a democracy must make big, long-term choices that survive the next election result,” she said. She noted that when Denmark needed a new climate law in 2019, eight out of ten parties in parliament voted for it. “Today Denmark is a world leader in wind energy — thanks to that sharp choice and that political steadfastness.”

Brussels-Flanders Partnership

The ceremony also featured a welcome address from Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (PS), who emphasized the cooperative relationship between Brussels and Flanders. “Every day thousands of Flemings come here to work, do business and invest. And in return, Brussels contributes to the growth of Flanders. That’s not a competition. That’s a partnership,” Close said, as noted by the Flemish Parliament. He also highlighted the growing interest in Dutch language learning among Brussels youth, stating that “learning Dutch does not build walls but opens doors.”

Analysis and Implications

The simultaneous calls for reform from both the Flemish Minister-President (N-VA) and the Flemish Parliament President (Vooruit) — traditional rivals on institutional issues — signal a broad political consensus that change is needed. The key question is whether these two tracks can converge: internal streamlining of Flemish governance combined with a push for greater fiscal autonomy from the federal level.

With Belgium facing significant fiscal challenges and the federal government led by N-VA’s Bart De Wever pursuing budget consolidation, state reform is increasingly being linked to budget negotiations. Diependaele’s offer to help with federal finances “in exchange for vette vis” (substantial gains) suggests that Flanders sees the current fiscal pressure as leverage.

What’s Next

Van den Bossche’s call for internal reform will test whether her Vooruit party — traditionally moderate on Flemish autonomy — is willing to pursue institutional change. Meanwhile, Diependaele’s demand for fiscal autonomy modeled on the Basque Country sets a high bar for negotiations with French-speaking parties, who have historically resisted further devolution of powers. The coming months will reveal whether the parallel reform tracks can find common ground, or whether they will remain competing visions for Flanders’ future.