“No, it doesn’t just happen to others! The cancer has caught up with me, but I don’t intend to let it overtake me.”
It is in these words that Jean-Luc Crucke communicated Thursday on his Facebook account that he was going to undergo a “urgent surgery” at Erasmus Hospital. The deputy thus revealed this worrying note of his state of health because he considers that as a public figure, he must be transparent. “I have total confidence in Erasmus’ medical and nursing staff who treat me. I will then devote myself for a month to recovery work.”
This statement surprised more than one, starting with the members of his party who replied that they had not been informed before Thursday’s Facebook publication of this reality. “It’s a shock”, laments the federal deputy Denis Ducarme who still recently spoke with him. “I think a lot of him.” If Jean-Luc Crucke makes this declaration, it is also for “that some do not imagine that if we see it a little less, it is not for essential reasons”.
“He remained very discreet, summarizes Jean-Paul Whal, head of the MR group in the Walloon Parliament. 0But knowing Jean-Luc and his strong character, it is he who will win over this misery.” The former Walloon budget minister will not be replaced during this step aside. The Liberal parliamentary group momentarily loses a man, but this does not risk diminishing the strength of the group. “There is always a form of solidarity in parliament”says Jean-Paul Whal.
Jean-Luc Crucke’s announcement comes a few days after the publication of new revelations in the press concerning his intentions to form a centrist movement combining liberals, Committed and democrat-federalists. This movement would be formulated as a dissidence vis-à-vis the current MR line and would be a snub to its president Georges-Louis Bouchez. The latter emphasizes, however, that political enmity is put aside when the human is at stake. “Politics is one thing, but we remain human beings first and foremost. A speedy and complete recovery to Jean-Luc Crucke, whose determination and strength I have no doubt in overcoming this ordeal.”
On this, the two men seem to agree. “I will come out of this more determined and more determined than ever to fight for what I consider to be just, essential and sustainable”assures the former mayor of Frasnes-lez-Anvaing.
We have attempted to contact the 59-year-old Liberal, but he does not wish to add any further statements to the one already posted on social media. He just punctuates his SMS with a “Take Care” which is reminiscent of the “take care of yourself” of former Liberal Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès.