Mortsel removes royal portraits

2 March 2007

BRUSSELS – The municipal council in Mortsel has decided to remove the portraits of the king and queen from the city hall. This is a first in Belgium, according to the Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg.

Vlaams Belang faction leader Mark Schampaert, following suit from a colleague in Affligem, had argued for the removal of the portraits.

The green party Groen! Abstained from voting and VB voted in favour. Votes of the other parties were divided. In the final vote 11 voted in favour, seven against, and nine abstained.

“So as not to offend too many people I will hang the portraits in my office,” said Mayor Ingrid Pira.

Subject: Belgian news