Defaced signs near Brussels spark outrage and political tension: 'An aggression against French speakers'

Vandalism targeting bilingual road signs at the border between Brussels and Flanders has ignited political controversy, with some lawmakers denouncing the acts as an "aggression against French speakers."

“

The duration of this erasure over time is worrying. As if we were letting this place, on the edge of the linguistic border, be the theater of an aggression against French speakers.

On signs entering the capital, the French name "Forêt de Soignes" has been crossed out, leaving only the Dutch "Gewestelijk Zoniënwoud." Similarly, departing Brussels, the French name of the municipality Rhode-Saint-Genèse has been obscured, leaving only "Sint-Genesius-Rode."

During a session in the Brussels Parliament, lawmaker Anne Charlotte d'Ursel highlighted the prolonged presence of the defaced "Forêt de Soignes" sign, expressing concern that the area is becoming a site of hostility towards French speakers. Minister Elke Van den Brandt attributed the oversight to a lack of awareness from Brussels Mobility services, adding the sign to a repair schedule and suggesting the use of the Fix-My-Street app.

“

The Brussels Mobility services were not aware of the situation. But it is therefore added to the list of planned interventions.

However, Clémentine Barzin, another lawmaker, deemed the minister's response insufficient, arguing that the defaced signs are not merely vandalism but a political statement intended to erase Brussels' predominantly French-speaking identity and undermine the city's model of bilingualism. She noted difficulties in reporting the issue through the app due to the lack of a street number at the specific location.

“

This is not only vandalism but a political and symbolic act to invisibilize the largely French-speaking character of Brussels. It is an attack on the French speakers of Brussels and on the Brussels model of the two communities.