Twenty years ago, an “economic redeployment group” was established following the announcement of the shutdown of the Liège steel industry. Despite being deemed ineffective by skeptics, the group is now attempting to relaunch itself with support from the traditional political parties, with hopes of creating a “sacred union” that includes political, industrial, and union forces. However, the far-left pétébistes are not on board with this plan.
The group’s director, Jean-Christophe Peterkenne, envisions it as a place to define and debate strategic axes for a new development plan, aiming to increase employment rates, improve territory attractiveness, and accelerate decarbonization across the province by the end of the decade. He believes that the group can become an essential tool for turning the page on past scandals like Publifin and Nethys, which have damaged trust among elected officials. Despite the optimistic rhetoric regarding federating energies, some may question whether this wishful thinking will be enough.
Twenty years ago, when the shutdown of the Liège steel industry was announced, an “economic redeployment group” was created. The most skeptical say it hasn’t been of much use. It is now trying, with the support of the four so-called traditional parties, to revive itself. It is the return of the sacred union. All the active political, industrial and union forces show great enthusiasm for the idea of this refoundation. All? Not really: the pétébistes, to the “left of the left”, are not welcome…
A place to debate and define the strategic axes of a new development: a simple sorting station for projects to seek financing and subsidies at other levels of power, regional, federal or European? Or essential tool to become once more a “metropolis of knowledge and knowledge”, as claimed by its director, Jean-Christophe Peterkenne ?
In this episode of Prime Cork, he explains his method and details his objectives. The ambition is to increase the employment rate, increase the attractiveness of the territory, and accelerate decarbonization, across the province. And that, at the end of this decade. Beyond the discourse on the need to federate energies, which sometimes comes from the Coué method, the will is a way of turning the page on the repeated scandals, Publifin or Nethys, which have accentuated the mistrust between elected officials. from all sides. But wishfull thinking can it be enough?
The question of whether the economic redeployment group in Liège will be successful in its mission remains to be seen. However, the enthusiasm shown by political, industrial, and union forces towards its refoundation is a positive sign. Jean-Christophe Peterkenne, the director of the group, has outlined ambitious objectives that include increasing employment rates, decarbonization, and making the territory more attractive. While some may see this as wishful thinking, it is evident that a new approach is necessary to turn the page on past scandals and move towards a brighter future for Liège. Only time will tell if this initiative will succeed, but it is reassuring to see so many stakeholders coming together with a shared purpose.
