2024-01-09 17:20:00
We learn something every day. Since January 1 and until June 30, the presidency of the Council of the European Union is exercised by “Flanders, in cooperation with Belgium”. In any case, this is what Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon (N-VA) explained to European correspondents taking the trip organized by the Belgian presidency, which stopped off this Tuesday in Antwerp, at the spectacular Maison du Port. And to specify that “Flanders will play its own distinct role”. It’s a, let’s say, alternative way of presenting things.
Certain thematic training of the Council will in fact be led by ministers of federated entities, in regionalized/community/shared areas of competence. But just like federal ministers, regional ministers who chair European meetings will always do so in the name of Belgium and will hold speeches and positions which will have previously received the green light from all components of the Belgian state. This is also what Mr. Jambon acknowledged, half-heartedly, in a more informal manner, following being questioned regarding what he had wanted to say.
Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: how do the different levels of Belgian power manage to get along?
…and sells the assets of its region
The Flemish number took the opportunity to sell the press corps on the strengths of his region and present his point of view on various European subjects. In particular, he spoke badly of the relaxation of European rules on state aid, which penalizes regions like Flanders, incapable of competing with large countries. Announced a meeting of leaders of European regions. Slipped that the N-VA “doesn’t feel so much anymore [chez elle]” in the group of European Conservatives and Reformists, in which she sits, in the European Parliament, with the Polish PiS, the Fratelli d’Italia Giorgia Meloni party and the Spanish far-right Vox party.
A well-prepared and well-executed public relations operation.
… Elio Di Rupo didn’t say anything, because he didn’t come
The day before, the European correspondents were in Wallonia, in Charleroi, where they visited the Bois du Cazier Museum, then the Biopark, Walloon flagship of research and innovation in the field of biotech. Contrary to what had been planned, they will not have had the opportunity to meet Minister-President Elio Di Rupo (PS), due to an agenda conflict. Mr. Di Rupo was detained for a long time in the General Affairs and International Relations Committee of the Walloon Parliament, where he was subject to questions from deputies. It’s stupid
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