2023-10-14 05:14:00
We did a balanced job. This means that the result of the conclave is in the middle and that it does not correspond 100% to what some people want. We emerged stronger from Covid and the energy crisis and, now, we must restore a healthy budgetary situation. This is done step by step. We were told that we would never be able to make the necessary decisions at the end of this legislature. But yes, we did it. If the next government does in 2025 and 2026 what we have achieved, Belgium will respect the Maastricht criteria.
During this time, companies’ wage costs are exploding, their competitiveness is falling… This will have an impact on the State’s tax revenues. The budgetary problem will inevitably resurface later.
Despite the crises, our economy has shown a lot of resilience. Unlike some neighboring countries, we have not experienced a recession. Belgium remains very attractive in terms of investment. The FEB didn’t get everything it wanted, but neither did the FGTB… We still considerably expanded flexi-jobs. It’s not a solution to everything, but it will help fill the 200,000 current job openings. I am pushing this government to the maximum.
Pieter Timmermans (FEB) sounds the alarm: “After the elections there is an urgent need for a coalition of parties ready to take on five challenges”
The PS, very satisfied, presented the 2024 budget as a victory for the left. Do you agree with this reading?
The Open VLD and the MR are also very happy: we have avoided taxes on those who work, who undertake and who save. If all the majority parties believe that they have obtained a victory, it is because I have worked well. This is my role as Prime Minister.
gull
If all the majority parties believe that they have obtained a victory, it is because I have worked well. This is my role as Prime Minister.”
In conclave, it was decided to tax the banks. Previously, Belgium had issued a state bond which captured more than 20 billion euros in savings. Is your government at war with the banks?
No. No way. The tax increase only concerns large banks. The dynamism in the savings market shows that small banks have been more creative and responsive than others. The profit level of the banking sector is such that this tax of 150 million can be easily digested. Johan Van Overtveldt (former Minister of Finance, N-VA) took the same kind of tax under the Michel government. We are not tougher on the banks.
Who set this tax at 150 million? During the conclave, some proposed a tax of more than 600 million euros.
It’s my role to judge what is reasonable. During a negotiation, certain proposals are bluffs, like in poker. A contribution of 150 million is reasonable.
If banks had increased interest rates on savings on their own, would they have avoided this tax? Did they bring about their own punishment?
We had hoped for more responsiveness from the big banks, that’s clear. The average Belgian is looking for a higher return. We saw this with the success of the state bond.
Belfius, 100% owned by the Belgian state, will contribute to the federal budget through the payment of 220 million dividends. Did your government intervene behind the scenes to receive this important contribution to balance its accounts in 2024?
No, no, no… That’s not how it happens at all. It was Belfius who made this decision. We didn’t ask for anything.
Should the State remain a shareholder in Belfius? Is this the vocation of a modern state?
Ultimately, it would be normal for “good fathers” investors to become shareholders in Belfius. But this will no longer be done under this legislature.
Alexander De Croo is banking on Alexia Bertrand to negotiate the 2024 budget: “When she speaks, even Frank Vandenbroucke is silent” Alexander De Croo strikes a pose at the top of the stairs which leads to his office at 16, rue de la Loi. ©cameriere ennio
The other big issue this week is the announcement of the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine. The final decision remains to be made in 2025 and will therefore depend on the next federal majority. It’s very ambiguous…
The ambiguity is especially on the side of the French-speaking media… On the Flemish side, everyone understands. The previous position was that Defense believed that we needed all of our F-16s and that they would be unusable when replaced by the F-35s. We discussed it in Kern and we nevertheless requested a study re-examining this position. The study shows that in 2025, F-16s will be available and can be delivered to Ukraine. But the final green light will depend on the government in power at the time. President Zelensky himself understood this perfectly.
On Wednesday morning, the PS, which has the Defense portfolio, announced this decision in the media. The French-speaking liberals were railing: they claim to be at the origin of this change in the government’s attitude regarding the F-16. Where is the truth ?
When there are doubts, you must always listen to the Prime Minister (smile)… The MR insisted that we study the delivery of F-16s, yes, but he is not the only party to have done so .
gull
The MR insisted that we study the delivery of F-16s, yes, but he was not the only party to do so.”
Was there a communications war on this issue?
Yes. But, frankly, we don’t care… He’s the Belgian political boss. I would like to remind you that Belgium will also have a central role in the maintenance of the F-16s (as part of the “F-16 coalition” in favor of Ukraine, Editor’s note).
In the Middle East, Hamas has massacred Israeli civilians. There is controversy over the qualification of this organization which dominates Gaza. Terrorist or not?
Hamas is a terrorist group, there are no other words to use. The acts committed amount to unimaginable barbarity. It is normal that Israel now reacts to protect its population. On the other hand, I hope that everything will be done to avoid additional civilian deaths also on the Palestinian side. But, let’s be clear, who is endangering the population in Gaza? It’s Hamas. We are currently examining the nature of the Israeli response but we could examine what the Hamas terrorists are doing. They could, for example, release the hostages, recognize that they have gone too far… It is too easy to point the finger at the Israeli reaction.
gull
Hamas is a terrorist group, there is no other word to use. The acts committed amount to unimaginable barbarity. It is normal that Israel now reacts to protect its population.”
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