euro|topics - Guy Tegenbos

Tegenbos, Guy

4 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

De Standaard - Belgium | 27/05/2008

Riots among hooligans and migrants

Guy Tegenbos warns that recent riots in Anderlecht between football hooligans and migrants should not be misused in the debate on integration. Tegenbos criticises certain Belgian politicians for accusing Muslim politician Abou Jahjah - now standing trial for his involvement five years ago in riots pursuant to the murder of Mohamed Achrak - of inciting polarisation and violence. "The riots in Anderlecht on the weekend were shocking. ... This battle deliberately staged by enemy groups on innocent ground is a first, and something we never want to see again. ... The ministers of justice and the interior are among those calling for harsh punishment. That is their right, their job, even. But one must always be wary when ministers voice such views. In proceeding against crime, courts must consider society's needs as well as the symbolic effect of their judgements. But when dealing with individual defendants they must proceed from the facts, and not from the assumptions or expectations of politicians. They must punish offenders, not seek scapegoats."

De Standaard - Belgium | 14/05/2008

Council of Europe investigates Belgian mayoral disputes

As of today, a fact-finding team of the Council of Europe will look into the Belgian dispute over the nomination of three mayors. Francophone candidates have been rejected by Flemish communities because they could not speak Flemish. Guy Tegenbos comments that the team members are "sticking their hands into our wasp's nest. ... The question is whether [the Council of Europe's delegates] ... have the sense to understand that the question is not whether a francophone may become mayor of a Flemish community. Rather, the question is whether the government can be forced to nominate a candidate who refuses to respect the law. ... While the Flemish parties have based their arguments - not unsuccessfully - on domestic Belgian law ... the francophone representatives have turned to international organisations, where they depict themselves as an endangered group, defenceless at the hands of the power-hungry Flemish majority. It has been shown numerous times that on an international level, Flanders lacks the persuasiveness to hinder such tactics."

De Standaard - Belgium | 05/11/2007

Can Belgium finally end its crisis?

For Guy Tegenbos, if the "Flemish parties vote unilaterally for the scission of the Brussells-Hal-Vilvorde (BHV) constituency, we will see a crisis in the regime. It feels as if this is a game where each player is waiting for the other to loose patience and make a mistake. .... Politicians in power in different parties no longer have Belgium as a reference, but their specific community. French-speaking parties are indeed pleading for a united Belgium, but they are defending French-speaking interests. There are no more Belgian politicians. ... Even when the Flemish parties ask 'How to obtain better governance?', French-speaking parties refuse any discussion. If this situation doesn't change, it will be impossible to form a federal government. French-speakers can try to convince the Flemish to make concessions, but they risk getting 'no' for an answer."

De Standaard - Belgium | 20/04/2006

The opening of the labour market

The daily announces that Belgium is apparently preparing to open a breach in its labour market by easing access for workers from the new EU member states. The member countries that have not yet opened their borders have until April 30 to unveil their plans. "The Poles and other new EU citizens - who are already coming to work in our country in great numbers via roundabout routes - will soon be able to come to work officially, not by a wide-open front door, to be sure, but via a side-entry," explains Guy Tegenbos. "Europe and its realities are forcing us in the end to change course. ... In Sweden and Ireland, the labour market is already more open. ... But not in our country. At least not in any visible way because, in recent years, tens of thousands of citizens from new members states have worked here in moonlighting jobs. Things will now become clearer."

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