The current economic situation is becoming more and more complicated to manage for Belgian citizens. Some are in denial, others react. A new trend is appearing here. It comes to us from the United Kingdom, where the “Don’t Pay” movement – launched on Tik Tok – has more than 100,000 followers. The principle ? Members no longer want to pay their energy bills until prices become reasonable again.
In Belgium, some now say they are ready to follow suit and no longer pay their bills, in the hope of lowering prices. This is the case of Patrick, present on the set of It’s not every day on Sunday. “It is unacceptable what is happening at the moment in our country”he says. “We are going straight into the wall. And what is the government doing? It is the multinationals who decide”he believes.
Faced with his cry of despair, the politicians did not remain insensitive. Starting with Maxime Prévot, president of the Engagés, federal deputy and mayor of Namur. He is ringing the alarm bell. “Today, a huge number of people – what remains of the middle class – will be unable to cope”he said on the set of It’s not every day on Sunday. “We have the feeling of having governments that have two tensions”he continues.
The president of Les Engagés goes even further in his remarks: “We are facing an enormous potential social slaughter. Nearly 40% of citizens risk falling below the poverty line, and I’m not even talking about companies yet”he is alarmed.
Maxime Prévot even talks about “social and economic chaos such as we have not seen for decades”, giving as an example homes with a down payment of 700 euros for electricity or gas. To this, he says, must be added the repayment of his mortgage or the payment of his rent and the needs of everyday life. “It’s impossible. It’s time for the State to intervene to become the strategist and regulator State again, and cap prices. We have proposed that we set the MWh at 100 euros, this will make it possible to divide the bill by three “reacts the president of the Engaged.
Tone up
Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, takes the floor and agrees with the chaotic situation described on set. “We are at war, so we have to take extraordinary measures. Codeco has not gone far enough”he admits.
For him it is necessary “go further” on two subjects: the energy sector in order to fight against the profits of certain big companies. “The Minister of Energy is working on it”, informs Thomas Dermine. But also act on prices. “We must intervene, regulate and even threaten to renationalise certain parts of the market.” What Maxime Prévot does not fail to react to: “Don’t wait for Europe, France hasn’t waited for Europe. It’s been weeks since it capped prices”, he throws at her. Note that the Secretary of State did not appreciate.
“Don’t Pay”, a bad idea
Following the “Don’t Pay” movement would not be a good idea, according to Marc Van den Bosch, director general and spokesman of the Belgian Federation of Electric and Gas Companies. This could create supply issues. “If we stop paying the invoices, it’s the end of the suppliers since they are responsible for all the unpaid bills. So if the customers do not pay the invoices, the supplier must continue to pay the network manager, taxes such as VAT, green certificates… As well as all other costs and its energy”he explains.
For him, the solution is “devoting our resources to those who need them most.”