Flemish Justice Minister Zuhal Demir has commissioned a study on the de-federalisation of the judiciary, she told the Flemish Parliament on Tuesday in response to a question from a parliamentarian.
”Obviously we should not expect too much from the federal government’s preparations for institutional reforms, as their leader and constitutionalist has left because of the Francophone blockages,” said Demir.
She was referring to the departure of constitutionalist Jürgen Van Praet from the office of Minister for Institutional Reforms Annelies Verlinden, reported by the Flemish radio and television station VRT on 13 October.
“I was expecting this and therefore took precautions with regard to the justice system," Demir continued. "That is why I asked another constitutionalist, Stefan Sottiaux, to do a comparative-law study on a possible de-federalisation of justice.”
The study includes an analysis of the current distribution of competences in Belgium, but also of the distribution of competences in other federal states, the Minister disclosed, adding that it looks at both the design and organisation of courts and tribunals and the police.
"On the basis of the study, a number of possible scenarios for a new distribution of competences will be presented. I expect the results of this study early next year," she said.
