17.10.2018 - 21:43
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Actualització: 17.10.2018 - 23:42
The Spanish government has withdrawn the diplomatic status to the Flanders delegate in Spain, André Hebbelinck, due to the recent Flemish parliament speaker comments saying that the nine Catalan jailed leaders are “political prisoners.” The chamber president, Jan Peumans, also said that Spain “is incapable of complying with the conditions to be part of a democratic Europe.”
According to the Spanish foreign minister, Josep Borrell, his remarks were “unacceptable” and “inappropriate” for an “ally country such as Belgium.” Borrell’s office said in a statement that the withdrawal of the diplomatic status of Hebbelinck means that he can still continue working as a delegate in Spain, but without the privileges and immunities of a diplomatic agent. And if he is replaced, the person taking over his post would not have diplomatic status either.
Unlike Spain does with Catalonia, Belgium grants the possibility for their Flemish representatives to have diplomatic status around the world – as long as it is accepted by the country where the delegation is opened.
Official complaints
The Spanish authorities had held several meetings with Belgian officials to make official complaints about Peumans, who sent a letter to Carme Forcadell, currently incarcerated for her role last year in the independence roadmap as parliament president.
The Flemish parliament on Wednesday defended the “freedom of expression” of its president, and described the Spanish government’s decision to withdraw the diplomatic status of the Flanders delegate to Spain as “disproportionate.” In a parliamentary session, the Flanders minister-president, Geert Bourgeois, explained the “serious diplomatic incident” with Spain, and later told the press that there was “unanimity” in the chamber in considering the decision as “disproportionate.” Bourgeois also called the measure “a very unfriendly act” and defended freedom of speech.
Spanish ambassador to be summoned
In an interview with the Flemish Radio 1 station (VRT) on Wednesday morning, the Flemish head of government defended the separation of powers, because the delegate who has lost his diplomatic status represents the executive, while Peumans is part of the legislature. Geert Bourgeois also announced his intention to “summon” the Spanish ambassador in Belgium, Beatriz Larrotcha, as soon as possible.
Soon after Bourgeois made his comments, the Spanish foreign minister said he would not deny that the incident is “a diplomatic conflict” with Flanders, and also with Belgium. “Let’s not play it down” said Josep Borrell, who added: “Spain cannot allow that time and again the president of a parliament says that we are a country that should be expelled from the EU.”
