The ban defended by the Mayor of Merchtem is not in line with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements. The ban ignores the regional differences and cultural diversities. As 59 per cent of the population in the Flemish region speaks Dutch, the ban on speaking French in the town’s schools would prevent French and Dutch speakers to mingle with each other, and also create feelings of distrust and suspicion.

It is against the spirit of accommodating every linguistic group, and creating a right environment for everyone to live. This ban can possibly create division of the community on linguistic lines.