“He is certainly not going to soften now that he is at the gates of power, with him, the awakening will be brutal for the MR and Les Engagés”

The new president of DéFI is facing a challenging situation: a significant electoral defeat, the loss of half of her deputies, the termination of 75% of employees, and empty financial resources. “There is much work ahead, but the activists know how dedicated, loyal, and faithful I am to my party,” she stated. DéFI will hold a congress in Nivelles on Sunday, October 6.

She conducted a lengthy interview with us, during which she specifically discussed the trainer Bart de Wever.

What are your feelings about the emerging Arizona majority at the federal level?

I feel concern and anger. The extension of the trainer’s mission, combined with the ban imposed by the five parties on their deputies from voting on any text that does not achieve consensus within Arizona, represents the triumph of egos and party politics at the expense of citizens and democracy. Moreover, this undermines the separation of powers. They are blocking votes on issues like abortion or other matters that could affect purchasing power or major tax fraud. I find this to be very cowardly. By acting in this manner, the MR and Les Engagés are perpetrating a deceit and revealing their true intentions. Take the abortion text (to extend the deadline beyond twelve weeks, Editor’s note): these two parties misled voters by claiming they would support it, asserting that deputies would have the freedom to vote. The Engagés portrayed themselves as the Health Party, yet now it’s women’s health that is at risk. As for the MR, which claims to champion freedom, there is neither freedom to vote, nor the freedom for women to control their own bodies. The outlook for women has not improved; it has actually gotten worse. This is yet another devastating blow to the image of politics among citizens. I’m exhausted by parties that treat voters as fools and then immediately reverse their positions after the elections.

Is that related to your anger toward Arizona? And what about your concerns?

These negotiations are faced with two realities that the French-speaking negotiators seem to ignore. The first is the fiscal reality. Here we have a tax reform moving in the right direction, which we advocated for during the campaign, but it would incur a cost of 8.5 billion, while Europe is demanding a budgetary effort of 28 billion euros from Belgium over seven years. They claim they will not increase taxes because they will fund this with the benefits from their policies, but this again is an attempt to deceive voters; all economists dispute this assertion. The proposed responses, particularly regarding labor market reform, are inadequate: forcing people back into the labor market after two years will not be effective. We also lack proper responses: concerning the fight against tax fraud, for example, there is nothing—at least, nothing that has been shared regarding that. It seems as if we don’t even want to address it. This is precisely the type of issue on which we could have made progress in Parliament even without a government.

I thought you were going to mainly discuss a community fear related to this Prime Minister who is supposedly from the N-VA?…

I am getting to that… Certainly, there is community fear; it is not a new phenomenon. It feels as if the MR and Les Engagés are somewhat entranced by Mr. De Wever, who suddenly appears to be fantastic and constructive. I am concerned that there will be a harsh awakening. Mr. De Wever’s objectives have not changed, and they will certainly not soften now that he is on the brink of power. I fear they will have to compromise on issues such as security linked to the community, such as the merging of police zones in Brussels, which will effectively dismantle the community policing that these parties have been advocating.

The New President of DéFI: Challenges and Perspectives

The new president of DéFI faces a challenging landscape marked by recent electoral defeats and significant changes within the party. With a loss of half of her deputies and the dismissal of 75% of employees, the incoming leader grapples with empty coffers and the pressing need for revitalization. “There is a lot of work, but the activists know to what extent I am hardworking, loyal, and faithful to my party,” she stated. The upcoming congress in Nivelles, scheduled for Sunday, October 6, poses an opportunity for renewal and strategy.

Overview of Current Challenges

The situation facing the new president of DéFI is complex and layered. The following key challenges characterize her beginning:

• Electoral Defeat: The recent elections have not favored DéFI, resulting in a significant reduction in representation.
• Staff Reductions: The decision to let go of 75% of employees underscores serious financial constraints.
• Financial Scarcity: With empty coffers, effective fundraising and resource allocation will be crucial.
• Party Unity: Strengthening party cohesion and restoring confidence among activists and voters is essential.

Insights from the New Leadership

In a candid interview, the new president shared her feelings about the current political situation, especially regarding the emerging “Arizona majority” at the federal level.

Concerns about the Arizona Majority

Q: What are your feelings about this Arizona majority which is emerging at the federal level?

A: My feelings are ones of worry and anger. The extension of the trainer’s mission combined with the ban imposed by five parties on their deputies from voting on any text that does not achieve consensus is a triumph of egos and partiocracy over democracy. This diminishing of the separation of powers is troubling—important issues like abortion and purchasing power are sidelined. The actions of the MR and Les Engagés represent a significant disconnect from the electorate’s needs, painting a dire picture for women’s health and freedom. The political landscape appears to become gloomier rather than brighter.

Anger Versus Worry

Q: What specifically contributes to your concerns?

A: The negotiations surrounding Arizona reflect a denial of fiscal realities. For instance, while we have a proposed tax reform costing about €8.5 billion, Belgium is under pressure to achieve a budgetary effort of €28 billion over seven years. The promise of not raising taxes while claiming the policies will yield returns is misleading and contradicts economic expertise. Furthermore, proposed labor market reforms will not yield the anticipated results without clear strategies to prevent tax fraud and other critical issues that haven’t been addressed due to present inaction.

Community Concerns and Political Dynamics

Turning the conversation towards community issues, the new president expressed concern over a possible N-VA Prime Minister.

Community Fears

Q: What are your thoughts on the evidence of community fear associated with the potential N-VA Prime Minister?

A: Community fears are palpable and valid. The overt fascination of the MR and Les Engagés with Mr. De Wever may lead them to overlook critical social issues. Near power, I expect Mr. De Wever’s objectives will remain unchanged, potentially compromising essential aspects like community security in Brussels and beyond. This could undermine the very fabric of local policing, which is crucial for maintaining safety and community engagement.

Practical Tips for Revitalizing DéFI

As the new president embarks on a challenging journey, here are some practical tips for revitalizing the party and reconnecting with the electorate:

• Transparent Communication: Establish open channels with party members and voters to rebuild trust and clarity of purpose.
• Engagement Campaigns: Initiate grassroots campaigns that address the immediate concerns of constituents, allowing for direct feedback and involvement.
• Training and Development: Invest in training for remaining party staff and activists to enhance their skills and capabilities in outreach and policy advocacy.
• Collaboration with Civil Society: Forge partnerships with local organizations and movements to amplify societal concerns and ensure the party’s actions resonate with community needs.

Case Studies of Successful Political Revivals

Learning from Successful Political Organizations

Several political organizations worldwide have faced significant challenges but managed to revive through strategic actions. For example:

Country	Party	Strategy	Outcome
United States	Democratic Party	Grassroots Mobilization	Resurgence in local elections
Canada	New Democratic Party	Policy Refinement	Increased voter engagement
France	La République En Marche!	Youth Engagement	Significant electoral wins

First-Hand Experience: A Call to Action for DéFI Activists

The recent electoral setback can serve as a wake-up call for DéFI activists. It underscores the need for greater involvement and energy within the party. Engaging with the local community and addressing their concerns directly can lead to renewed support and vitality. It’s time for activists to harness their dedication, strategize effectively, and push for transparent and impactful policies that resonate with voters.

Final Thoughts: A Journey of Revitalization

The road ahead for the new president of DéFI is undoubtedly fraught with difficulties, but it also contains the potential for tremendous growth and transformation. By leveraging grassroots support and focusing on community-centric policies, there is a path to not only reclaiming lost ground but also leading with renewed vigor and purpose.