Brussels, 17/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Michel Guégan (MODEM, France), who is rapporteur on the local democracy situation in Belgium at the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, expressed concern at the intransigence of the Belgian Flemish minister for internal affairs, Marino Keulen, on the question of the non-nomination of French-speaking burgomasters for the Belgian “communes à facilité” (i.e. where Flemish or French may be used for official purposes) of Linkebeek, Kraainem/Crainhem and Wezembeek-Oppem. The Congress had noted in December 2008 that such a situation was in “breach of the European Charter on local autonomy, ratified by Belgium”. After a further request put to him on 1 April 2009, Marino Keulen restated his refusal to appoint the burgomasters. The Congress had recommended the nomination of three burgomasters or to proceed to new elections. In the present circumstances, Michel Guégan encourages the three burgomasters to take the matter before relevant jurisdictions. “Since December 2008, the Flemish authorities have not taken into consideration the recommendation made by Congress. By acting in this way, they have placed themselves in a political impasse”, he said. The Congress will examine the situation again after the June elections. (G.B./transl.jl)