In an interview with VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’, one of the Aldermen in the far-right municipal cabinet that will take office in the East Flemish town of Ninove from 1 December has outlined some of Forza Ninove’s plans for the next 6 years.
Ilse Malfroot told VRT News that she realises that all eyes are on her party Forza Ninove that is the local branch of the far-right party Vlaams Belang. She describes the attention that is being given to Forza Ninove as “overwhelming” and says that she realizes that everything she and her colleagues do “Will be followed very closely”.
Ms Malfroot will be responsible for education, employment, integration, combating poverty, welfare and care. She told the VRT that “We are going to project Ninove as a monolingual Flemish town. Currently, many people have the impression, due to the large influx of newcomers, that it is a multilingual town. We will conduct campaigns and ensure the strict application of language legislation”.
With regard to education Ms Malfroot particular wants the parents of children at school in Ninove to learn Dutch, the language in which their children are taught. “There are courses available. We expect parents to make an effort. We do not intend to pamper them and take them by the hand to the courses. There is a lot they can do themselves”.
Speaking about the local Social Services Department, Ms Malfroot says that in future any extras given to needy households (such as sport or culture cheques) will have to be spent in Ninove. “If for example we give someone a sport pass it will have to be used to practice a sport in Ninove. It is not intended to be used pay for someone to take karate lessons in Brussels”.