The government must look for a new director-general for the Prisons System. The appointment of Rudy Van de Voorde has been suspended because it appears to conflict with the required language balance within the executive committee.
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Three years ago, the Dutch-speaking appointee Rudy de Voorde was appointed director-general of the Prison System. In the oral interview of the selection procedure, he beat Mathilde Steenbergen, the current head of cabinet of Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD). And from Alexis Douffet, current Regional Director South (Walloon Prisons).
But both Steenbergen, who came out as the best candidate from the Selor selection, and the French-speaking candidate went to the Council of State to have the nomination annulled. Steenbergen withdrew her complaint when she took up her position as chief of staff to the Secretary of State for Quickenborne. The Institute for the equality of women and men have kept their complaint about gender equality in the appointment. But that has not yet been dealt with and is therefore separate from this judgment.
Douffet was now right. Reason: Van de Voordes’ appointment was contrary to the required language balance within the executive committee of the FPS Justice. Due to his appointment there were too many Dutch speakers, so he felt that the position was due to a French-speaking candidate. The Council of State agreed with him and now annulled Van de Voorde’s appointment.
The procedure for appointing a director-general has started again. In the meantime, Van de Voorde will continue to work as advisor-general. (tg, wer)
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