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“Ook dat nog” – “And now this!” The coalition government about to take the reins in Flanders divulged its agenda on 9 July, and Le Soir is aghast at what they have in mind. The Christian Democrats, Nationalists and Socialists, who joined forces after the 7 June regional elections, have decided to dole out extra family benefits and up school bonuses – but for Flemish children only. “Loosely translated: little Jan gets off to a better start in life than little Jean,” writes the French-language Belgian daily. “The Flemish leaders’ conduct doesn’t only pick on Francophones. It also shows a lack of respect for the Flemish: Flanders is indulging in reckless and vexatious spending at a time of dire budgetary straits. It is the Flemish families who are going to foot the bill for this sectarian caprice,” laments Le Soir.
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