In order to discuss the news, LN24 received Etienne de Callataÿ, the economist co-founder of Orcadia Asset Management.
Surveyed by La Libre Belgique, RTBF and LN24, many Belgians indicated their priority concern, purchasing power. If we believe the figures studied by economists, in recent years the purchasing power of Belgians has not eroded. “Not clearly, it has even increased”, explains Etienne de Callataÿ.
With the current climate and energy crisis, have Belgians been properly protected? “We have been, but not completely… and so much the better! For climatic reasons, we have to accept that energy is more expensive. That’s what will make us change our behaviorindicates the economist who details his thinking. I prefer the idea of a social tariff to lowering VAT because the latter applies to everyone. However, people with high incomes, who consume and pollute more, do not need this aid.
As far as the economic state of the country is concerned, all is not rosy. Especially on the French side. “We have to accept that we are less rich than our Flemish neighbours.”
Moreover for Etienne de Callataÿ, it would be necessary to abolish an institution in Belgium. “We must abolish the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. It is a concept that is ideologically unhealthy. In Brussels, depending on whether you are French-speaking or Dutch-speaking, you do not benefit from the same system. It is worthy of apartheid. To define someone economically by the language they speak is akin to defining them by their skin color.”
