The interested party reacted on Wednesday. The note should inspire Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem, who is considering a major tax reform. The Vice-Premier CD&V has promised to submit his project to the government table by the summer holidays set for July 21. The suggested reform aims to reduce taxation on labor and compensate through the globalization of income.
The text was presented on Tuesday at a symposium in Ghent. Several majority parties welcomed the exercise. The Liberals, on the other hand, rejected the memo. For the president of MR Georges-Louis Bouchez, this is “not serious” and cannot constitute a basis for negotiations.
On the Dutch-speaking side, the president of the Open Vld Egbert Lachaert also criticized the note. “I don’t think it’s good, including in terms of method.” The government agreement protects once morest tax increases. The Liberals’ approach is a tax cut for those who work. Here you get a catalog of where you can find money.” “We will not hesitate to discuss this with Minister Van Peteghem,” he added.
At the microphone of Radio 1 (VRT), Professor Delanote had little taste for these criticisms, particularly those of Mr. Bouchez. “Frankly, to criticize the symposium within five minutes, I don’t understand that. Either he hasn’t read the report or he is unwilling. I leave it to you to decide what it is”, a- he declared.
Mark Delanote points to a huge fear of change. In his eyes, his team has made a note in line with the government agreement. “I guess the politicians know what they agreed to,” he said. “Isn’t it time to have a vision? Do we always have to shoot down proposals that aren’t immediately feasible?”
Mr. Bouchez’s attitude makes him “a little reminiscent of that of the firearms lobby in the United States”. “I don’t understand why we can’t at least talk regarding it. Apparently, it’s ‘bon ton’ (in French in the matter, editor’s note) to put everything that comes from the experts aside and to demolish it because it does not immediately fit into its own political program. I understand the political tension, but it is still necessary that there can be a discussion in a serene way and not to mix the debates.