Benoît Lutgen

Benoît Lutgen (born March 10, 1970 in Bastogne^[1]) is the head of the Centre démocrate humaniste (Humanist Democrat Centre) political party in Belgium.^[2] Previously, he was Secretary-General of the Centre démocrate humaniste from 2001 to 2002 and National Campaign Director for the party in 2004. Lutgen is Minister for Public Works, Agriculture, Rural Affairs, Nature, Forests and Heritage of Wallonia. He was previously Minister for Agriculture, Rural Affairs, the Environment and Tourism from 2004 to 2009.

During an interview with the newspaper The Standaard on June 20, 2013 he made a remarkable statement:^[3]

“

I understand very well that Flemings have felt. It is deplorable what happened with the Flemish. The Flemish People could not be tried in their own language. When they came to work, to Wallonia, they were treated like dogs and had to sleep with the animals. I understand the feelings in this regard. But I tell the Flemings: do not fall into the same excesses, do not do the same with us as what my ancestors have done with you.

”

References

1. "Benoît Lutgen". Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
2. "Benoit Lutgen: "Our democratic system is out of breath"". Le Vif.be. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
3. standaard.be - Vlamingen werden vroeger behandeld als honden. Bezocht 28-06-2013