Belgian federal ministers’ language skills have come under the spotlight, revealing surprising strengths and weaknesses. On 2025-06-22 15:39:00, a KU Leuven professor evaluated the French and Dutch proficiency of our top officials, sparking discussions on communication in Belgium’s multilingual government.
- Bart De Wever spreekt uitstekend Frans
- Rob Beenders scoort laagste taalvaardigheid
- Bernard Quintin excelleert in Nederlands spreken
- Matthias Diependaele promoot Vlaanderen in Japan
- Koning Filip's staatsbezoek uitgesteld door technisch probleem
- Mathias De Clercq reist met rolstoel naar Polen
Premier Bart De Wever impressed with a solid 16/20 in French, mastering complex sentences despite a slightly Dutch-accented “R.” Yet, some ministers outshone him, while others struggled. What does this mean for Belgium’s political dialogue and unity?
Also in focus: Minister-president Matthias Diependaele’s recent trip to Japan and the royal family’s postponed state visit to Chile, highlighting Belgium’s active role on the global stage despite occasional setbacks. How do these events reflect Belgium’s evolving international presence?
How crucial are language skills for effective governance in Belgium’s complex federal system? The evaluation reveals:
- Top French speakers include Vincent Van Peteghem, Frank Vandenbroucke, and Annelies Verlinden, all scoring 17/20.
- Rob Beenders scores lowest with 10/20, admitting difficulties adapting from English to French political jargon.
- Bernard Quintin leads Dutch proficiency with 19/20, having overcome early language exam failures through dedication.
- Minister-president Diependaele’s pragmatic approach focuses less on flair and more on governance reforms.
As Belgium navigates linguistic diversity, will ministers continue improving their language abilities to strengthen unity? Staying informed and supporting language education in politics could be key to a more cohesive future governance.
