Unprecedented episode in Belgian politics. Jean-Luc Crucke is leaving his post as Walloon Budget Minister because he might no longer find his place in the MR. “My convictions are no longer in full line with my party line“, did he declare. So what does this resignation say? And how do the political lines between the liberals oppose?
At the microphone of Thomas Gadisseux, the liberal explains his gesture. Jean-Luc Crucke says he has resigned “out of conscience.“
An ideological problem
“Politicians are too often criticized for not being in line with their conscience. There I have ideological differences compared to the party line. And when you’re at that point as a minister, you can’t be the most loyal spokesperson for the party line.“, he explains.
So, how to explain these ideological differences with his party? Who from the MR or the former budget minister has evolved? “Probably both“, answers Jean-Luc Crucke.
►►► Read also : Georges-Louis Bouchez (MR) reacts to the departure of Jean-Luc Crucke: “You should never hold people once morest their will”
According to him, the Liberal Party brings together people who are more conservative and others who are more progressive. “The evolution of time also means that we can approach the files differently. Ten years ago, we did not talk enough regarding global warming. For me today, not putting that as a priority on the agenda is a difficulty.“
The liberal quickly evokes the differences with his party president, Georges-Louis Bouchez. About nuclear, first of all. But also from an institutional point of view: “Georges-Louis is more Belgian. It is his right and it is the party line. This is not my case, I am a convinced regionalist and I believe that Wallonia must first count on itself to get by.“
Georges-Louis Bouchez does not push me towards the exit. I am a liberal and I remain in the liberal family.
So, is it the current president who pushes Jean-Luc Crucke towards the exit? This last denies it: “Georges-Louis Bouchez does not push me towards the exit. I am a liberal and I remain in the liberal family.“
Jean-Luc Crucke has known several party presidents within the MR. Has the way of doing politics changed? “No doubt the expression when it is more radical is more understandable and more audible in the media. I believe that it is the opposite which makes the richness of the consensus“, he explains.
Is he abandoning Wallonia?
Wallonia is facing immense challenges: floods, the health crisis… Can it afford a ministerial change at this time? Jean-Luc Crucke leave the ship in the middle of a storm? To this he replies that “there is never a good time to quit.“
“Simply and modestly, I believe I have put in place, particularly on the budgetary level, all the elements that will allow us to make the right decision in a few weeks. I would have liked to be at the table to make this decision. But I prefer that those at the table have all the confidence of the respective parties to be able to do so“, he reassures.
►►► Read also : Jean-Luc Crucke, the Walloon Minister of the Budget resigns “My convictions are no longer in full adequacy with the line of my party”
From a budgetary point of view, Wallonia is also in a catastrophic situation. The mission of next Walloon budget minister will therefore not be easy. “I’m not saying the situation will be easy. The budget situation is delicate but the elements are on the table“, he wishes to reassure.
“There is real awareness in Wallonia. The opposition does not agree with that but that is the role of the opposition. But this way of doing things will make it possible to take the right decisions as long as we stick to them over the next ten years.“
On the way to the Constitutional Court
Jean-Luc Crucke, a lawyer by training, will be the MR’s candidate to become a judge at the Constitutional Court. But how can one assume to be nominated by a party if it no longer identifies with it? “I never said I didn’t recognize myself in the liberal party anymore“, he specifies.
“I am a liberal and I want to die liberal one day. We can have differences on certain issues and for me this is the nobility of the political debate“, adds Jean-Luc Crucke.
►►► Read also : Walloon government: Adrien Dolimont will succeed Jean-Luc Crucke
“It is clear that the Constitutional Court is something else. It will require more reserve and restraint in my expression. But it is also a fight for our values, for democracy. It’s a fight that no longer takes place politically but legally.“
“I was a lawyer for almost 30 years. And finally, to think that I started my professional life in law and to be able to finish it in law, this is not the least bad of the future.“, concludes the liberal.
