2023-10-14 05:15:00
It is not good news. But let’s still let people vote on June 9. It will be up to us to prove that this government’s record is good. Many promises have been kept: increase in pensions, the minimum wage, maintenance of the salary standard, extension of nuclear reactors… For the moment, we cannot sufficiently convince the Flemish public of these results. But we’ll get there.
“The strategy of the Open VLD is clear: bet everything on Alexander De Croo”
Are you ready to return as Prime Minister in a Vivaldi 2?
It’s not up to me to decide. We will see what the results and results of my party are. But it’s difficult to lose in an election and regain control.
The Open VLD has taken on federal responsibilities and is sanctioned in the polls. Politics is thankless, right?
No. I would never dare say that. It is an honor to be Prime Minister, it is my duty to do the best for my country. We will also have to do the best for my party. But my number one priority, for now, is to fulfill my duties. The Open VLD was the party that was to ensure compromise in Vivaldi. At some point, however, we will talk more about what we want to do in the future, our vision, than about what we have done. Throughout Europe, for those in charge, it is not easy. Belgium, however, emerged from the crises in a non-polarizing manner.
With Alexander De Croo at “16”, the Open VLD takes the path of uninhibited federalism
In this difficult context, will the Open VLD remain a federalist party? This is not an easy position to assume in Flanders.
Belgium’s vocation is to be an adult federal country. For now, we find ourselves in adolescence. But we are not going to lock ourselves in a castle for two years to negotiate state reform. The world is evolving at full speed, we have many other things to do…
gull
We are not going to lock ourselves in a castle for two years to negotiate state reform. The world is changing at full speed, we have many other things to do…”
Are these institutional questions old-fashioned?
I think so. I participated in state reforms with enthusiasm, but it is no longer the priority. We must work on the costs of aging, increase the activity rate… We are not going to spend our time looking at our navel. The period of major institutional reforms, honestly, is in the past.
Rumors give you an international destiny after the “16”…
Weird, I must be the only one who doesn’t know.
…and we are talking about a growing rivalry between you and Charles Michel for obtaining one of the key positions within the European Union in 2024.
Ah good ? It makes no sense. I never felt any rivalry with Charles Michel. He does an extremely complicated job and he does it well. Leading a government of seven parties is not always easy, but leading European councils of 27 is yet another scale. I believe that some speculators have too much free time… I deny all that. My priority is Belgium. If I can continue to have a role, if the election results allow it, I certainly will. Otherwise, I’ll do something else.
gull
I never felt any rivalry with Charles Michel. He does an extremely complicated job and he does it well. Leading a government of seven parties is not always easy, but leading European councils of 27 is yet another scale.”
Should the liberal family – MR and Open VLD – remain united with a view to the composition of the federal government after the elections?
That would be a good thing. We need liberalism everywhere in our country. And this at all levels of power.
Sophie Wilmès takes over a central role within the MR. A relief for you when there were many tensions with President Georges-Louis Bouchez?
I note that, for the negotiation of this budget, it went well with the MR. As far as Sophie is concerned, it’s very good. She showed what she was capable of as Prime Minister. She is respected and very popular.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo welcomes the future strong return of Sophie Wilmès within the MR.
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