Belgium’s national holiday on 21 July 2025 sparked controversy as Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Defence Minister Theo Francken chose to skip key celebratory moments. Their absence from the traditional festivities and refusal to say the Belgian motto during the Te Deum and military parade raised eyebrows on 2025-07-22 20:10:00.
- Bart De Wever attends Te Deum, skips festivities
- Theo Francken refuses Belgian slogan publicly
- Criticism rises from French-speaking community leaders
- Elio Di Rupo condemns Francken’s actions strongly
- Francken defends stance, calls backlash predictable
- Tensions highlight divide over national symbolism
Both politicians, known for their Flemish nationalist views, limited their participation to official ceremonies, avoiding the popular public events and fireworks. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and political figures across the language border, questioning their commitment to national unity.
What does this mean for Belgium’s cohesion going forward? The reactions highlight growing tensions between federal symbols and regional political beliefs, setting the stage for a deeper debate.
Does refusing to embrace national symbols weaken the government’s integrity? Critics argue it does, suggesting such actions undermine Belgium’s federal identity. Supporters claim it reflects political convictions without abandoning official duties.
- The ministers attended only the Te Deum and military parade, skipping public celebrations.
- Francken emphasized professional duty while maintaining Flemish nationalist beliefs.
- Opposition leaders called their refusal “unacceptable” and damaging to national unity.
- The debate reveals persistent challenges balancing regional identity and federal loyalty.
As Belgium approaches future national events, will political leaders find ways to bridge these divides or will symbolic gestures continue to fuel discord? The nation’s unity may depend on how these questions are answered in the coming months.
