Regional matters

The nine municipalities of the German language region are an integral part of the Walloon region. The German-speaking Community, therefore, does not have autonomy for regional matters.

However, article 139 of the constitution concedes to the German-speaking Community the total or partial exercise of the competencies of the Walloon region within the German language region as long as a bilateral agreement is concluded between the German-speaking community and the Walloon region.

Since 1994, three transfers of competencies have taken place within the scope of article 139. So, the German-speaking community has gained the competence for the following regional matters:

• The protection of monuments and conservation areas;
• Employment policy;
• Excavations;
• The supervision and financing of municipalities

As for these regional matters, the German-speaking community has the legislative and executive power. The Walloon region yearly grants funds to the German-speaking Community for implementing these competencies.