2023-10-14 05:18:00
The Prime Minister’s party has a popularity problem. It is the last party in Flanders, if we except very small formations. With less than 8% in the latest La Libre poll, the Flemish Liberal Democrats come at the back of the pack, behind Groen and the PTB.
At this point, however, Alexander De Croo refuses to worry regarding it. He who, like his father, was president of the Open VLD, believes that we must first let people vote before drawing conclusions. “It’s up to us to show what this government’s track record is,” says the liberal, citing the increase in pensions, the maintenance of the salary standard and even the extension of nuclear reactors.
Agreement within the MR: Sophie Wilmès will play a central role in the electoral campaign and in future government negotiations
As for the criticism raining down on the VLD, this is a normal consequence for a party which has played the role of the one “which makes the compromise”. “That was my role. At some point in the campaign, we will talk more regarding our ideas and vision, less regarding our achievements. Throughout Europe, for the parties which have taken their responsibilities, it is not easy. It’s the same thing everywhere in Europe. I think our country has emerged stronger from this crisis. We do it with a non-polarizing method. We brought the country together. The question now is: what does our country need for the next five years?”
Huge question. On the other hand, what the country does not need, according to Alexander De Croo, is a new reform of the State. “We are not going to lock ourselves in a castle for two years with all the consequences that might have.” It’s a bit old-fashioned and outdated, judges the man who played a key role in the split of BHV. “Honestly, the world is changing at full speed. We have other things to do than talk around our navel.”
Despite her step aside, the popularity of Sophie Wilmès in Brussels continues unabated
De Croo made reforms with enthusiasm, but it is no longer the priority. “The priority now is to increase the employment rate, to continue to tackle the costs of aging. It’s regarding bringing this combination of climate and industry to fruition. There are plenty of things that are much more important than navel-gazing and discussing state reform among ourselves. I also think that this period of institutional reforms as we knew them has passed.”
For the future, the VLD strongman believes that the liberal family must remain united if it hopes to be able to play a role in the composition of the future federal majority. “I think it would be a good thing for the country. We need a little liberalism in our country. Everywhere. Also in regional governments, in all governments”. In this regard, he applauds the fact that Sophie Wilmès is taking on a more central role within the MR. “It’s very good,” he replies laconically. “Yes, because Sophie has demonstrated as Prime Minister what she is capable of and she remains, following a complicated period in her personal life, among the favorite personalities in Wallonia and Brussels. This is entirely justified.”
After almost four years at the head of a government for which he traveled extensively outside Belgium, some predict a continuation of his international career for this almost fifty-year-old. It is said that there would be a growing rivalry between the Flemish liberal and the President of the European Council Charles Michel with a view to the allocation of top European jobs in July 2024. Alexander De Croo cuts short these rumors.
”Honestly, it’s nonsense and I really want to deny this story. I never felt a rivalry with Charles Michel. Charles Michel does an extremely complicated job and I honestly think he does it well. Criticism is always easy. Leading a government of seven parties is already not easy. Leading European advisors to 27 is yet another scale. Sometimes I tell myself that there are spectators in the Rue de la Loi who have too much time to invent stories like that. My ambition is to finish the job well with this government. My priority is Belgium.”
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