Georges-Louis Bouchez and Jean-Marc Nollet debated in It’s not every day on Sunday. The two men at the head of two parties that are members of the majority at the federal level (MR and Ecolo) must work together as more and more issues divide them. Among them: that of nuclear power and the discussion with Engie on the extension of two of our seven reactors. This debate revealed that the discussions are difficult.
On March 18, the government decided following long discussions to extend the activity of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors beyond the date established for the end of nuclear power in Belgium. Negotiations have started with Engie-Electrabel, operator of the national nuclear fleet, to implement this decision. These were announced to be complicated, the operator having already made it known several times that in his eyes, the deadline for carrying out such an extension had been exceeded.
“We must not lie to each other, these negotiations are going badly“, underlined Mr. Nollet. “Today, the Prime Minister who is at the discussion table with the Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten, realizes the difficulties she faced for two years with Engie. Engie repeats what he has always said to the Minister of Energy, namely that he does not want the conditions set by the government.“
Negotiations are due to conclude in June. They would essentially come up once morest the dismantling of nuclear power plants and the management of waste from this source of energy, as well as the procedures for continuing nuclear activity, Engie wishing that the Belgian State also become the operator of nuclear power plants, and thus assumes the responsibilities related to this activity.
“We’re not going to make a deal at any price“, warned the environmentalist co-president. The bill for the dismantling of power plants and waste management is estimated at 41 billion euros.Forty-one billion, it’s no, the Belgians don’t have to pay that“, he added.
In the majority, the MR is a strong supporter of the continuation of nuclear activity. Tensions between French-speaking liberals and environmentalists on this issue are high. The president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, questioned the Minister of Energy. “Initially, there was an obligation of result incumbent on Ms. Van der Straeten who is now out of office. And it’s the prime minister trying to save the day“, he accused.
The Vivaldi in danger?
Second point of contention: that of slaughter without stunning, the question of which has been settled in Wallonia, but not yet in Brussels. “Apart from religious questions, I see only one thing: either we are for animal protection and we find that it is a good measure, or we are not. But if we start to get influenced by religious considerations I think we have a problem” argues Georges-Louis Bouchez. For Ecolo, it is more regarding fundamental rights: “One, freedom of worship, and two, freedom and animal welfare. What you have to find is a compromise between the two“underlines Jean-Marc Nollet.
The differences are sharp on other issues, such as socio-economics. There is no common ground between the two party presidents on the question of salaries, or that of a tax on millionaires. It makes you wonder if the Vivaldi coalition will last until its end, or if it is not better to renegotiate the government agreement on a good basis.
