2023-06-27 04:51:00
Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib apologized on Monday for “her lack of clarity” in the Iranian visa case. Words that do not seem to have restored the confidence of the deputies.
Confidence has still not been restored, in the eyes of French-speaking socialists and environmentalists, despite four hours of debate in the House’s Foreign Relations Committee on the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Brussels in mid-June.
Read also Iranian delegation in Brussels: Hadja Lahbib apologizes for some of his statements
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib explained herself on Monday for the third time in parliament on this subject which plunged Vivaldi into crisis. She apologized on some points of communication and expressed regret on others, acknowledging inaccuracies, but denied having lied as claimed by the opposition but also part of the majority.
The end of the saga this Thursday?
On Thursday, the Chamber is due to vote in plenary session on the motions of no confidence tabled by the N-VA and the Vlaams Belang. Their rejection would mean the end of the saga that began on June 15. The days to come will therefore be perilous. The CD&V group leader called on the majority partners to make their intentions clear. “In 48 hours, we will vote on these motions. We must now clarify. There are many files on the table today that are falling behind schedule, which the country does not deserve. In the next 48 hours, need to be clear”launched Servais Verherstraeten.
Tonight I can’t be satisfied
“At this stage, we have not received the necessary guarantees to restore full and complete confidence. Now we have to take a step back. Tonight, I cannot be satisfied”, warned MP Samuel Cogolati (Ecolo-Groen). The PS was very harsh during the debate and accused the minister of having lied in front of parliament. He took note of the Minister’s apologies but still said to himself “perplexed” because in his eyes gray areas remain.
“In the coming days, we will review your accountability and transparency,” explained Malik Ben Achour. “This government must be able to work in serenity, but your intervention in this file and your answers to our legitimate questions are not likely to restore serenity”.
The reaction of Sophie Wilmès
A year ago, Ms. Lahbib succeeded Sophie Wilmès as head of Belgian diplomacy. The former Prime Minister, discreet until now in the public debate, spoke on Wednesday and came to the defense of his co-religionist. “Each time, you have demonstrated the same desire for transparency and respect for parliamentary work. I have heard of lies when it is enough to hear your explanations to be convinced that this is not the case” , she underlined, confiding her incomprehension in front of the declarations of “some colleagues”. “We will see what the next few days will bring constructively”.
At the end of the session, Mrs. Lahbib went to her colleague and thanked her warmly.
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