Regularly, Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS) is the target of virulent criticism formulated by Georges-Louis Bouchez. Like all liberals, the president of the MR places a lot of hope in employment. More workers, that makes more money for the State, that makes it possible to alleviate the debt and that would solve many problems, repeat the reformers. His hope of seeing the 80% employment rate remaining unfulfilled, Georges-Louis Bouchez repeatedly unloads on the Federal Minister of Employment, reproaching him in turn for being inactive and for not solving this problem.
Generally of a rather discreet approach, Pierre-Yves Dermagne finally came out of his reserve. Asked this Thursday on the question of the employment rate, the socialist replied, without naming him, to the criticisms of the liberal Mons.
”I usually don’t hover, fly. I don’t spend my time in planes between Formula 1 Grand Prix, etc., sent the minister to a plenary session in parliament, arousing thunderous applause in the socialist camp. “I try to do my work on a daily basis, calmly, without provocation and with respect for each other. It might be a bit old school, but that’s who I am.”
Pierre-Yves Dermagne attracts the wrath of the MR following sharing the new employment rate: “It’s self-satisfaction, an extrapolation”
However innocuous this spade may seem, it reflects a new state of mind at work for some time within the federal majority. In recent weeks, we have seen several ministers and even the Prime Minister criticize their majority partner more openly.
Is it the approach of the elections that does this or is it the exasperation of a coalition that is beginning to tire? Probably a bit of both.
On the broader criticisms also coming from Flanders and relating to the employment rate, the Minister wanted to take stock. “In the last quarter of 2022, the employment rate increased to 72.3%. It is also historic, the employment rate has never been so high. Contrary to what I have read or heard, the employment rate has increased in all the Regions, whether in Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels.”
